Your Home School Your home school is the school that is responsible for enrolling you with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) for VET, VCE and VCAL assessment. Full-time DECV students will nominate the DECV as their home school. School-based students who are only enrolled for one or two subjects with the DECV and are studying most of their subjects at another secondary college will usually nominate their secondary college as their home school. Students studying at other institutions, (for example, a TAFE college) and have enrolled for subjects at the DECV have the option of selecting either institution as their home school. If you have any doubts about your home school status, please contact Im Turner, our VASS Administrator, to clarify the situation. DECV Enrolment staff will also be happy to help. If the DECV is your home school, it is your responsibility to inform the DECV of any VCAL, VCE or VET units you are studying elsewhere. If you do not inform us of these other units and you haven t been enrolled for them with VCAA, it may result in a non assessment for these units.
School-based Students In each school, there is a member of staff who is the Supervisor of Distance Education students at the school. Their role includes ensuring that - you have an appropriate place to complete your distance education studies at school you have access to a telephone and/or computer when you need to phone or email your teacher. If telephoning to get help from your teacher, you should be provided with a telephone in a quiet space where you can sit and use your distance education materials while talking to your teacher. The DECV telephone numbers are provided on the back of this booklet. Your subject teacher will provide you with his/her direct number. your work and other materials are regularly submitted to the DECV and that you know when and where you have to leave material for mailing by your school. The DECV timetabled mailing day is Friday of each week. you promptly receive corrected work and notices from the DECV. You need to establish who you can collect this work from and when. you are given advance notice of the time and place when SACs and tests will be handed out or supervised while you complete them. We suggest that a few days before a timetabled SAC or test you check that your Distance Education Supervisor has the relevant materials and has organised a suitable time and place for you to complete the task. If you are granted Special Provision by your home school it is essential that you notify the DECV and ensure that your school sends the relevant documentation to the DECV.
Assessment VCAL Units Learning outcomes are specified for each Unit. They describe the knowledge and skills you should have demonstrated by the time you have completed a unit. Satisfactorily completing the weekly work will allow you to achieve an S (satisfactory) for all outcomes and be awarded an S for the Unit. VCE Units 1 and 2 Satisfactory Completion Learning outcomes are specified for each Unit. They describe the knowledge and skills you should have demonstrated by the time you have completed a unit. Satisfactorily completing the weekly work will allow you to achieve an S (satisfactory) for all outcomes and be awarded an S for the Unit Graded tasks Various tasks are designated as graded tasks. These form part of your work for submission. If received on time they will be graded by your teacher and will be reported on in your Semester 1 and 2 reports. Graded tasks must be submitted according to the timetable. Graded tasks received more than one week after the timetabled submission date will be assessed to determine achievement of unit outcomes but will not be graded unless you have applied for, and received, an extension of time. The grading and what each grade represents is Grade % Description A 86-100 Excellent B 72-85 Very Good C 58-71 Good D 44-57 Quite Good E 30-43 Satisfactory UG 0-29 Not Satisfactory NA No assessment no work or late submission
VCE Units 3 and 4 Satisfactory Completion As in Units 1 and 2, in order to pass Unit 3 or 4 you must demonstrate achievement of the unit outcomes. These are reported to VCAA as an S or N. In order to achieve an S for a unit, you must achieve an S for all that unit s outcomes. Study Scores Your study score is a score, ranging from 0 to 50, which shows how you have performed in a study relative to all other students doing that same study. To receive a study score for a particular study you must satisfactorily complete both Unit 3 and Unit 4 of that study and be awarded scores in at least two of the three graded assessment components (either one school assessment and two examinations, or two school assessments and one examination) for that study. Study scores of 23-37 indicate the student is in the middle range. A Study Score above 37 indicates that the student is in the top 15% of students in that study. For studies with large enrolments (1,000 or more) the following table shows the approximate proportion of students who will achieve a Study Score higher than the stated values. For studies with fewer enrolments, the proportions may vary slightly. Study Score (Relative Position) % of students above this position (approximate) 45 2 40 8 35 24 30 50 25 76 20 92
The Study Score for a 3/4 sequence is based on internal school-based assessments: either School Assessed Coursework (SACs) or School Assessed Tasks (SATs), graded by your teacher one or two external examinations, assessed by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). It is the marks from these assessments that are used to calculate your study scores and your ATAR. Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) Your ATAR is your overall ranking on a scale of 0 to 100, based on your weighted study scores. The ATAR is used by Universities and TAFE institutions to select students for their courses. Further details will be supplied to Year 12 students during the year.
VET Units As nationally recognised qualifications, grades are not awarded in VET certificates. Rather, you will be deemed to be Competent or Not Yet Competent in the various Units of Competency. Once you have been assessed as Competent in all the Elements that make up an individual Unit of Competency, you will be deemed Competent in that Unit. If deemed Not Yet Competent you will be reassessed at a later date. The Elements that make up the Unit of Competency are listed at the beginning of each week. A variety of assessment tools are used throughout the course. These include both written and oral exercises. You are expected to ring your DECV teacher when instructed to as part of your weekly assessments. The General Achievement Test (GAT) is a test of general knowledge and skills in writing; mathematics, science and technology; humanities; the arts and social sciences. The GAT is used by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) to check that all schools are marking to the same standard in the school-assessed tasks. It is an essential part of the VCE assessment procedures. If you are undertaking any Unit 3/4 sequence, it is compulsory to sit the GAT. The GAT is held in the June examination period on Wednesday 11 June, 10.00 am 1.15 pm If the DECV is your home school you ll be sent a practice GAT to help prepare for this test. Subject Examinations External examinations will be held for all Units 3 and 4 Studies. These are set and marked by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA).
The 2014 October/ November examination period will commence on the morning of Wednesday 29 October Friday 21 November Kate Gilmartin, the Exam Centre Coordinator, will assist you in this matter. School based students will generally do all their examinations at their home schools. If you are attending a regular school you should speak to your VCE Coordinator to confirm examination arrangements. The examinations make a significant contribution to your assessment. Examination and GAT results will be used to moderate (check and possibly alter) the grades of your class school-assessed coursework, when compared to examination performances across the State. Further information on moderation is available from the Year 12 Student Coordinator. Overseas and Interstate Candidates Fees are charged by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) where a candidate sits a VCE examination outside Victoria. This fee covers the cost of courier services, but not the payment of a supervisor to administer the examination. This must be arranged by the student. These fees apply per examination period (i.e. June and November are charged separately): Interstate service fee $A 74.80 Overseas service fee $A 222.20 All exam inquiries should be directed to Kate Gilmartin, the Exam Centre Coordinator.
Achieving a Satisfactory Result You must comply with the following requirements to achieve a Satisfactory result for your Units of Study: the work meets the required standard the work was submitted on time the work is clearly your own there has been no breach of rules [see below]. You may not be granted satisfactory completion if: the work is not of the required standard you have failed to meet a school deadline for the assessment task, including where an extension of time has been granted for any reason, such as Special Provision the work cannot be authenticated there has been a breach of rules. There are sixteen (16) weeks of work in each VCE and VCAL Unit. DECV course materials for each unit contain information about, and instructions for, the work you must complete in order to demonstrate achievement of all the learning outcomes and satisfactorily complete the Unit. A condition of enrolment at the DECV is that you should submit work regularly in accordance with the prescribed timetable (see page learning program timetable), which you received on enrolment. Failure to do so may result in cancellation of your enrolment and this may affect any Centrelink benefits you re receiving in respect of your education. You need to send work on the submission date so that your teachers can judge whether you have achieved the learning outcomes and also authenticate that it is your work. Unless otherwise stated in the course materials, you are expected to send in work on a weekly basis. As you are not attending a regular school, the submission of work constitutes classroom attendance. It is not enough to only complete SACs/SATs (VCE Units 3 and 4) or graded tasks (VCE Units 1 and 2). This will not allow you to demonstrate achievement of the unit outcomes. Continued
non-submission of work could lead to an unsatisfactory result and/or to your withdrawal from the unit or course. Where students have completed work but there has been a substantial breach of work submission expectations, the student may be given an N (Not Satisfactory) for the unit. Therefore, in order to satisfy the rules, you must: complete and submit all weekly work as designated in the course materials apply for an extension, in the appropriate manner, if set time lines cannot be met, and provide supporting documentation for the request. Authentication of Work All work submitted must be your own work. All sources used should be acknowledged, including text, source material and name/s and status of person/s who provided information and the type of information received. Direct assistance should not be provided by any other person when completing graded tasks or activities. Any queries regarding your work should be directed to your subject teacher at the DECV. If your teacher considers that the work submitted has not been completed by you, an inquiry will take place following VCAA guidelines. The work submitted may not be assessed as a result of the inquiry. When the work is part of School Assessed Coursework (SAC) or a School Assessed Task (SAT) in VCE Units 3 and 4 you must sign a declaration at the time of submitting the completed tasks. The Declaration of Authenticity will be provided with the assessment material or in your course materials. It is your responsibility to ensure a completed Declaration of Authenticity is submitted with your SAC or SAT. Your DECV teacher will also have to sign to declare that the work is your own. Please keep your plans, drafts and final pieces as documentation of your work until February 2015
Reports The following Reports will be issued during the year: Semester 1 Progress Report Semester 1 Report Semester 2 Progress Report Semester 2 Reports only VCAL and VCE Units 1 and 2 VCAA certificate for students who have successfully completed their VCE or VCAL VCAA Statement of Results for VCE and VCAL students March June August November December December VCE SAC/SAT Rules for Completion Please note the following conditions for the submission of School Assessed Coursework (SACs) and School Assessed Tasks (SATs) SATs must be received at the DECV on the date indicated in the course book SACs must be completed on time as indicated in the course book and SAC material SACs received within one week of the posting/submission date will be graded SACs/SATs received after the due date will be assessed for satisfactory achievement of the associated outcome (or part thereof) they will receive an NA for assessment, as the student has not fulfilled DECV assessment requirements. If an NA has been given, the Year 12 Student Coordinator will explain the consequence of the NA. Lost, stolen or damaged SAC work is governed by VCAA policy. If this happens, contact the DECV. A Declaration of Authenticity will be provided with SAC/SAT materials or in the course book. You must sign this to verify that the conditions set by the teacher have been followed. If the SAC is completed under supervision, your supervisor must sign the Supervisor s Certificate, attesting that the work has been done under the correct conditions.
SACs/SATs will not be assessed until the Declaration of Authenticity and Supervisor s Declaration (if required) have been received by the DECV. When SAC/SATs are returned you must retain them until the results have been finalised. VCAA may request they be submitted for moderation or verification. Resubmission of Work Sometimes the work you submit may not be of the standard expected for VCE or VCAL studies and does not adequately demonstrate your achievement of the key knowledge and skills. If this situation arises, your teacher may ask you to resubmit work. You must follow the instructions given by your teacher, which will include what has to be resubmitted and when it must be completed. Please note: You may not resubmit work for re-grading of a SAC or a SAT in VCE Units 3 and 4 or a graded task in VCE Units 1 and 2. You are only able to resubmit work in order to demonstrate the achievement of an outcome to receive a satisfactory result for the Unit. Special Provision Special Provision is an arrangement made to allow students who are experiencing significant hardship the maximum opportunity to demonstrate both what they know and what they can do. You are eligible for Special Provision if it is considered that you have been: affected to a significant degree by illness; by any factors relating to your personal environment; or by another serious cause during the semester. disadvantaged by any physical disability or other impairment. Special Provision may involve: re-scheduling a task or coursework
allowing extra time to complete a task or coursework or examination setting a substitute task or coursework the use of a scribe. How to Apply for Special Provision It is your responsibility to formally apply to your Year Level Coordinator. All applications must be accompanied by appropriate and current documentation. This may include medical certificates, medical reports or reports from social workers, youth workers or other professionals. The Principal, in consultation with your Student Coordinator and your teacher(s), will decide whether you are eligible for Special Provision and how this will be provided. Do not assume that you have been granted Special Provision just because you have completed and submitted the relevant form/s. You will be advised of the outcome of your application/s. There is no special provision granted for equipment malfunction.
Derived Examination Score A Derived Examination Score (DES) is determined by the VCAA and may be used as the student s examination result where the student has met the eligibility requirements for the provision. The DES is intended for the student who is ill or affected by other personal circumstances at the time of an examination and whose examination result is unlikely to be a fair or accurate indication of their learning or achievement in the study. You re eligible to apply for a Derived Examination Score if you become ill or experience a traumatic event in the 2 weeks leading up to the examinations, or during the examination period, or during an examination. This applies to all examinations written, oral and performance. Details about applying for a Derived Examination Score will be sent prior to the examination periods. Use of Computers for SACs/SATs and Graded Tasks Some VCE SACs/SATs and Graded Tasks can be or must be, as is the case of Accounting and IT units, completed using a computer. If you use a computer to produce work for assessment, you are responsible for ensuring that: there is an alternative system available in case of computer or printer malfunction or unavailability; a hard copy of the work is produced and retained by you; work is saved onto a back-up file on an external disk. The back-up file must not be stored on the computer. There is no special provision granted for equipment malfunction. These guidelines will also apply if you are emailing your work to your teacher. Please keep a copy and ensure that the email has arrived.
When submitting word-processed, printed material please ensure it is at least equivalent in size to 12 point Times New Roman font, double spaced and has at least 2cm margins. This allows space for teacher comment at appropriate places throughout your work.
Breach of Rules Should the DECV be satisfied, on the basis of evidence, that there has been a substantive breach of rules, then the Principal shall have the power to: reprimand a student or give the student the opportunity to resubmit work if this can occur within the dates designated by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA). This only applies to work submitted for a Learning Outcome and not for the regrading of School Assessed Coursework or graded tasks. or impose the following penalties (a) refuse to accept the work or (b) where the work was initially accepted for assessment and a breach of rules has been discovered after the initial assessment has been made, then the DECV may: i. reconsider the original result for the Learning Outcome where only part of the work can be accepted for assessment, and if necessary, change the result to an N ii. change the result from an S to N for a Learning Outcome if the work submitted can no longer be accepted for assessment iii. change the result for School Assessed Coursework where only part of the work submitted can be accepted for assessment
iv. cancel the grade that has been awarded where the work submitted can no longer be accepted for assessment. If none of the work submitted for a Learning Outcome is accepted for assessment then an N will be awarded for the Learning Outcome, and consequently an N will be awarded for the unit concerned. If part of the work submitted for a Learning Outcome is accepted, then the S or N decision will be based on that part of the work alone.