Request For Raw Marks Denied

[Slidey]

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You know, the TAC you might have the most (or least) luck with is the QTAC - since they use the OP method instead, they may just care a whole lot less about this UAI business.

[Xayma]

It isn't that, it is whether information from other states is confidential. In Tasmania it must have been sent in confidence, or they must have been notified that it isn't accessible in the Law in NSW.

QTAC is most likely similar.

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by Xayma

The UAC is not a university though.

The only thing is that it's primary function is directly related to unversities.

The Universities Admissions Centre (NSW & ACT) Pty Ltd is a private company (ASIC listing) that is owned by another company, UniProjects Pty Ltd, which is in turn jointly owned by all or most NSW universities: Nature and Scope of UAC.

This makes UAC an independent legal entity and places it outside the scope of FOI (which only applies to government agencies).

Originally Posted by Xayma

Wouldn't the information contained in other states hence fall under their own FOI act?

Yes, but each FOI Act includes an exemption for documents that could potentially prejudice relations between States or that were communicated in confidence between States.

Originally Posted by Xayma

Since the database they talk about is a national database.

I didn't receive this impression - my interpretation was that rather than there being a single national database that is administered by the Commonwealth, there is a series of consistent and near-identical State databases.

Originally Posted by Captain pi

I think James has tried to just get more scaling data, and failed. I think UAC are even more unwilling than the Board of Studies.

I actually haven't approached UAC or the universities in relation to any of this yet, because we just haven't discovered any viable avenues. There are a couple of ideas that I am currently working on, but I doubt any action will be taken there for at least a few months. There's no point wasting time and effort in pursuing an avenue that has only a remote chance of success.

Originally Posted by Captain pi

You could always write to them, of course. I am guessing they would allow you to view your name and sex, for instance. (I don't know whether they'd spend so much money to bother, though.)

One of the avenues I have been considering is a request for all "personal information" (including scaled HSC marks) under the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 (NSW). There are a number of obstacles that would need to be surmounted in order for this to be successful, but it seems to be worth investigating at least.

[Xayma]

Originally Posted by Lazarus

I didn't receive this impression - my interpretation was that rather than there being a single national database that is administered by the Commonwealth, there is a series of consistent and near-identical State databases.

That was the impression I got off the VTAC site but after posting, the other sites confirmed what you were saying.

[cholly]

Originally Posted by Lazarus

1) The Board has realised that we can accurately estimate raw band cut-offs by splicing together raw and aligned marks from different students. As a result, they have simply put a blanket ban on all future disclosures of raw marks. [Edit: This now appears to be the case.]

are they actually able to do that with freedom of information and stuff?

[Lazarus]

Well.

It's arguable.

And it seems that it's going to be argued.

[Tommy_69]

If i send a FOI form at the end of the year, will I definetly get it rejected Laz?

[Lazarus]

Well, it's not definite, but the current state of affairs does make it seem likely.

Things might change before then though.

[Tommy_69]

well ill take the risk and let u know haha

[~ ReNcH ~]

So what exactly do we have to do to get an FOI application through successfully?

[kami]

Originally Posted by ~ ReNcH ~

So what exactly do we have to do to get an FOI application through successfully?

Originally Posted by Lazarus

I agree with Captain pi.

The legal costs would (roughly) be:

$30 initial application fee (BOS)
$40 internal review fee (BOS)
$55 external review fee (ADT)

= $125

But once that was done, if successful, any student would be able to obtain their marks with just the initial fee of $30.

Originally Posted by Lazarus

If they reject your initial application, you would just need to write to them requesting an internal review ("I write to request an internal review of the decision made on X December 2005 by Joe Bloggs ..."), with the internal review fee attached. They're obliged to give you instructions and assistance if you need it.

If the outcome of the internal review reaffirms the original decision, you just need to fill out the ADT's application form and send it off (again with the fee). Although an appeal to the ADT will require you to make appearances and so on... might be worth finding a friend who does law at that stage.

And here's the foi form.
http://www.boredofstudies.org/other/...ation_form.pdf

[Captain pi]

ReNcH: The tricky part is the external review: going to court and arguing your case. It's a bit more difficult than printing off a form (or so I am to believe). Still, if enough people collaborate, it might be worthwhile.

[~ ReNcH ~]

And so the process that kami outlined is likely to occur or will occur if someone makes an FOI application?

[Lazarus]

Well, it won't just 'occur', it's a process that you'll have to pursue.

But making the application is the first step.

[Tommy_69]

well when i get my results back im guna send the FOI form asap, i hope i dont get it rejected first off, cuz i couldnt be bothered going through the rest of the process!!