Breach of Rules

This form is to be completed by the Principal or Prinicpal's delegate.

• For Breaches of rules in external assessment, please submit this form

• for Breaches of rules in school assessment do not complete this form please keep a record at the school

• Please read the Breach of rules page on our website before completing this form

Please state the exact nature of the breach, any relevant circumstances leading up to the breach, and any actions taken, such as the opportunity for the student to redraft. Please note the student should be interviewed, by two people, where possible, during the investigation of the breach. The percentage of the breach detect is typically proportional to the percentage of the breach detected. For example, if 50% plagiarism is identified, a 50% penalty will be applied. The SACE Board will work closely with schools on a case-by-case basis to support their findings and recommendations. The SACE Board may contact schools at any time for clarification of the nature of the breach, the circumstances leading up to the breach, and any actions taken. 

Please include a copy of the student work whenever relevant. Where plagiarism or undue assistance is suspected, highlight the relevant section(s). The SACE Board may also request additional information to support the breach of rules form. Evidence might include, for example, samples or excerpts of other assessments, emails, or completed supervision and verification forms). Additional information can be submitted with this form.

For investigations

Please estimate the proportion of the work that can be verified as the student's own work and recommend a grade that takes into account the portion that is the student's own work

Note:  Results submitted in Schools Online to the SACE Board for external assessments should not include the recommended penalty/grade.  The SACE Board will apply an appropriate penalty, taking this recommendation into account.

Recommended penalties for investigations (a guide) 

These are intended as a guide only. Each case will be considered on its individual circumstances, including the evidenceprovided, the context, the intent, and the quality of authentic work. Final decisions may vary accordingly. 

The percentage of the breach detected should result in a comparable penalty being applied, proportionate to the gradeawarded at face value. For example, if 50% plagiarism is identified, a 50% penalty will typically be applied. The SACE Boardwill work closely with schools on a case-by-case basis to support their findings and recommendations. 

Interview notes

• Any interview with the student must be conducted with two people present.

• The student should be given the opportunity to provide evidence that the work submitted is their own.

• Students must be informed that this form is being sent to the SACE Board, evidence should be provided with this form

• Additional information can be submitted with this form

Notes on breaches of rules in SACE assessments

1. From time to time students breach the rules for conduct in SACE assessments. SACE coordinators are requested to report on this form any breach considered serious enough to be brought to the notice of the SACE Board.

2. The rules for conduct in SACE assessments are explained on the Breach of rules page and SACE Board policies, and included on the students’ assessment declarations and examination attendance slips.

3. Any student who does not comply with the rules and conditions printed on his or her assessment declaration or his or her examination attendance slip will be in breach of the rules, and penalties may apply.  Students who are in breach of the rules may have their results for an assessment task, an assessment type, the schools assessment component, or a subject cancelled or ammended, as determined by the school and /or the SACE Board.  Students who are in breach of the rules in an external examination may have their results for the examination cancelled or amended, as the SACE Board determines.

4. If any student is found breaching examination rules, he or she must be permitted to complete the examination unless that would in any way prejudice the other students' chances of completing the examination under normal conditions in the same room; in such a case the studentmay be permitted to complete the examination under supervision in a seperate room.  Any interview with the student considered necessary must be conducted with two people when the examination is finished.  The student must be informed that a report is being sent to the SACE Board of South Australia.

5. A grievance process is available when a student believes that the decisions or other actions in relation to a breach of the rules have not been carried out in accordance with the SACE Assuring Assessment Integrity Policy, which is part of the SACE Board of South Australia SACE Policy Framework or the SACE Board’s Supervision and Verification of Students’ Work Policy and Procedures. (Refer to the Breach of rules page for more details.)