Memorandum to Schools 74/2007
31 July 2007
VCE Examinations - Assessing In 2007
Please bring the following information to the attention of teachers at your school.
ASSESSORS: NOVEMBER VCE EXAMINATIONS
The VCAA w is hes to encourage suitably qualified and experienced teachers to consider applying to assess th is year's program of VCE written examinations. Assessing examinations, and the collegial sharing of ideas which goes with it, gives teachers a professional learning experience that strengthens teaching and learning practices in schools across the State. The VCAA allows, and indeed encourages, current teachers at Year 12 level to assess VCE examinations.
Whilst applications for many studies will need to remain open into August, a number have already closed such as the English group of studies (English, ESL, Literature and English Language), the LOTE Orals and Arts Performance. Other studies will close as soon as the target number of applicants for each study is reached.
Vacancies do exist in a wide range of other studies, particularly in the areas of Humanities, Health and Physical Education, and the VET programs.
Teachers of the following studies are urged to submit applications for assessor positions in the end of year examinations:
|
AH03 |
Agricultural and Horticultural Studies |
|
HS06 |
Hospitality Operations: Food & Beverage (VET) |
|
AR03 |
Art |
|
IE03 |
Industry and Enterprise |
|
LO03 |
Auslan |
|
IS03 |
International Studies |
|
BM03 |
Business Management |
|
LS03 |
Legal Studies |
|
BU05 |
Business Administration (VET) |
|
ME03 |
Media |
|
CH03 |
Chemistry |
|
OS03 |
Outdoor and Environmental Studies |
|
DA03 |
Dance |
|
PE03 |
Physical Education |
|
DT03 |
Design and Technology |
|
RE03 |
Religion and Society |
|
FY03 |
Food and Technology |
|
SO03 |
Sociology |
|
GE03 |
Geography |
|
IT03 |
Software Development |
|
HH03 |
Health and Human Development |
|
SA03 |
Studio Arts |
|
HI08 |
History: Australian |
|
TT03 |
Texts and Traditions |
|
HI13 |
History: Revolutions |
|
VC03 |
Visual Communication and Design |
Information about training meetings:
Applicants, if appointed as assessors or as emergency assessors, must attend full-day training sessions held just after each examination. Training sessions are held mostly on weekends but some sessions are held on weekdays.
The VCAA provides principals in schools with information about the appointment of staff from their schools, the dates of assessor training meetings and the availability of CRT payments to secure the release of staff.
If an offer of appointment is made by the VCAA, school-based staff undertaking these VCAA activities in school hours are advised to ensure that their release has been approved and confirmed with their school.
Where assessor training occurs in school hours (on a school day), a CRT payment is made available to the home school (as given on SSMS) to gain the release of the teacher from school duties and to cover the absence. If the training occurs outside those hours when release from school duties would be expected or if the assessor is not based at a home school, a training allowance is then made available to the individual.
Some background information
- we are particularly looking for teachers who have never assessed before but have more than 3 years teaching experience in the classroom.
- over 2500 assessors are employed to assess the written examinations
- some studies such as English, ESL, LOTE written components, Religion and Society as well as Texts and Traditions are centrally marked at the VCAA's new Assessment Centre at Coburg
- assessors are paid for attending the main training meeting and a script rate for each script assessed.
Advantages for the schools
- teachers return to school with in-depth knowledge of assessment procedures.
- students benefit from teacher assessment experience.
- teaching and learning practices are strengthened by teachers' professional learning experience.
Advantages for the teachers
- assessors are thoroughly trained in assessing their study and are often heard to comment – “it is the best PD you can get”.
- assessors are exposed to the entire range of students' responses from across the state in that study.
- collegial sharing of ideas from a wide range of schools and sectors.
How to apply
- applications can be made on the VCAA Sessional Staff Management System (SSMS ) website at: https://www.ssms.vic.edu.au
- applicants are advised that an email address is required when applying so that additional information can be provided on involvement in assessing as it becomes available.
- please note that registering an application on SSMS does not guarantee an appointment.
CONTACT:
Marlwood Ryder, Ph: 9225 2302, email: assessment.administration.vcaa@edumail.vic.gov.au
