Should a 'Learner Profile' Replace ATAR? Here’s What You Guys Think

The verdict is in.

It is safe to say that 2020 hasn’t been the smoothest year for high school students. Year 12s, who are preparing to sit their ATAR exams, faced significant disruptions to their learning due to the coronavirus pandemic and were forced to study from home.

With so many obstacles to face-to-face learning this year, people have started to wonder whether ATAR is the most accurate reflection of a student’s achievements.

In fact, there has been growing calls to replace the ATAR ranking system with a "Learner Profile".

A federally commissioned report titled "Looking to the Future" suggested that students should focus on building a learner profile instead of worrying about their ATAR.

The proposed learner profile would reflect the skills and knowledge students have acquired throughout their 13 years of schooling. On top of that, the portfolio would also feature their academic results and extra-curricular achievements like work, sport and volunteering.

This would help students demonstrate skills such as collaboration and problem solving.

The learner profile would be presented like a digital passport, which students could keep adding their new experience and qualifications to.

Of course, it’s important to find out exactly how students feel about the proposed learner profile. So, we reached out to our members to hear their thoughts.

As it turns out, THE majority of you believe a learner profile should replace ATAR. In our Instagram poll, 65 per cent of our followers voted for the change, while 35 per cent thought ATAR should remain the same. 

Some of you thought a learner profile would make sure students aren’t simply defined by a number.

• A learner profile could show more of your skills and knowledge. That’s what we need to show about ourselves when it comes to starting our careers and showing others what we can truly do, and how we can continue to deepen our abilities! A learner profile would allow me to put down what I know I can do and lean towards what I actually want to do in my career! I don’t want to be simply narrowed down to a number that might be scaled down because I leant towards a more creative path than an academic one. I could put down my skills that I want to put forth, knowledge, sports relations, capabilities etc. This learner profile could be a big help when ATARs aren’t people’s cup of tea.
  Gabrielle from VIC
• I believe the learner profile is a great idea as marks alone don’t define a person. A summary of how you’ve grown as a person over the years and how you’ve helped out your school and your community, consistently, is a better indicator in some cases that one is genuine, and an all-round good person. I think it adds a vital layer of sophistication expressing your experience in a range of areas, and how you are always looking to achieve more.
  Dheer from NSW
• I think it would be a good change because intelligence is not measured by merely an academic score but takes into account different facets of one’s character such as how they’ve contributed to their school and community. Regardless of the COVID situation for seniors, I think it would be better for a graduate to enter the world with a representation of their character rather than just a score based on academic achievements.
  Hannah from QLD
• I think in my opinion it gives students the opportunity I guess to explore their community interaction, which is beneficial compared to standard academics only focused on yourself. I think that is great for everyone.
  Sarah from QLD

Others pointed out that replacing the ATAR ranking system with a learner profile would help students out who don’t perform well under exam conditions.

• I really love the idea of the learner profile as personally I never did well in exams and even though my assignment grades were always of good achievement, it didn’t matter when it came to ATAR because the exams side and scaling really lowered my mark and had a big impact on my motivation and anxiety.
  Leah from WA
• I feel that so far through my education experience I’ve been able to learn something, but when it comes to assessments it ends up just being about answering using key words and terms rather than your actual knowledge on the topic area. So a change towards overall knowledge I feel might even it out, rather than just cater to those with a memory of key terms.
  Tom from VIC

On the other hand, some of you believed ATAR should stay the way it is, considering there are already other pathways for students who do not want to enter university.

• No, ATAR is a simple way to get into uni. There’s also a million other ways if ATAR isn’t for you.
  Jessie from WA

Alternatively, others suggested that the ATAR ranking system shouldn’t be completely replaced but should reflect your extra-curricular achievements as well.

• What I believe is that ATAR should still stand as it represents our capabilities, which would equate to what we would be able to pursue in college. With the extracurricular activities and such, these should be introduced, and added towards our ATAR. But not entirely replacing the ATAR system.
  William from VIC

Well, there you have it!

At this stage, the learner profile is only a proposed change. However, it’s evident that many students are keen for a system that reflects their achievements beyond just academics.

Header Image: Warner Bros. Television