Memorandum to Schools 105/2008
29 October 2008
Submission Of SIAR 4 - VCE Unit 4 Coursework Scores
Schools are reminded that SIAR 4: VCE Unit 4 Coursework Scores are due by MONDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2008. Please ensure that all scores are entered by this date as extensions of time will not be possible due to extremely tight processing deadlines.
VASS Administrators should devise suitable internal procedures for the entering and auditing of scores. This includes a schedule in which VCE teachers must submit their scores in sufficient time for checking both before and after entry into VASS.
The list of studies for which Unit 4 Coursework scores are required may be found on pages 170-171 of the VCE and VCAL Administrative Handbook 2008.
1. VCE Coursework Input Sheets
Coursework Input Sheets should be produced for distribution to the appropriate teachers using the menu:
Results Admin → VCE Reports → School Assessed Tasks/Coursework:
- Select ‘SIAR 4 Unit 4 Coursework’
- Select a Unit or leave as ‘ALL’
- Select the appropriate Graded Assessment or leave as ‘ALL’
- Select a Class Code or leave blank for all classes.
Please Note: Home schools with students undertaking DANCE (DA03) with a Private Provider are required to enter the Coursework scores for their students. To print the appropriate ‘input’, ‘summary’ and ‘missing results’ reports for the DANCE students the ‘Display Students Assessed Elsewhere’ flag should be set to ‘Yes’.
2. Entry of VCE Coursework Scores
Details regarding identification of tasks and maximum scores may be downloaded from VASS using the menu: SYSTEM ADMIN → Downloads.
The two files available for download are:
- VASS ADMIN - VCE Data Entry Version 2 - All Studies 2008 (MS Excel spreadsheet),
- VASS ADMIN - VCE Data Entry - Guidelines 2008 (MS Word document).
Previous years’ VASS Data Entry of School Assessments information should NOT be used. VASS Administrators should download the VASS ADMIN – VCE Data Entry Version 2 - All Studies 2008 file and print off the appropriate studies for teachers.
Results for Unit 4 VCE Coursework are entered in VASS using the menu:
Results Admin → VCE Results Entry → Coursework.
If the selected study has only one Graded Assessment for both Unit 3 and Unit 4 Coursework, e.g. Accounting, then the Coursework entry screen will appear.
If the selected study has separate Graded Assessments for Unit 3 and Unit 4 Coursework eg English, it is then necessary to select the Graded Assessment number and name for which Coursework scores are to be entered.(eg GA 2 – Coursework Unit 4). See figure 1.
Figure 1 – Selecting a Graded Assessment.
The three alternative score possibilities are: a score between one and the maximum, a zero score or NA.
- A zero score should only be given where the work was submitted but did not score against the assessment criteria.
- NA should be given where the work was not submitted for assessment.
Please Note: Schools are reminded that scores MUST NOT be left blank.
3. Check for Missing Coursework Scores
After scores have been entered, it is essential that schools identify any students who have missing results by running the report:
RESULTS ADMIN → VCE Reports → School Assessed Tasks/Coursework
- Select ‘SIAR 4 - Unit 4 Coursework’,
- Set Display Missing Results Only? to ‘Yes’.
If the message ‘No results matched the parameters you entered. Please try again.’ appears then there are no missing results.
Students who have withdrawn from Unit 4
Students who have withdrawn from Unit 4 but are still enrolled in Unit 3 may appear on the Missing Results report and will also be listed on the ‘School Assessed Tasks/Coursework Report’ with the word ‘Withdrawn’ following their name. These students should be given the score ‘NA’ which should be entered via UNIT 3 of the study (eg EN013, PY033 etc).
4. Summary Sheets for Teachers
As part of the internal school audit process it is essential that the School Assessed Tasks/Coursework reports be produced once the scores have been entered and then returned to teachers for checking. The reports should be printed with the SIAR set to ‘SIAR 4 - Unit 4 Coursework’ and the Display Missing Results Only? to ‘No’.
5. Quality Assurance
In addition to checking for missing Coursework Scores, schools are encouraged to run the report:
SCHOOL ADMIN → School Statistics → Coursework Task Scores Summary.
This report allows VCE Coordinators and/or teachers to easily view summary level statistics on the range of initial school scores entered for VCE Unit 3-4 Coursework.
This report can be used in conjunction with the RESULTS ADMIN → VCE Reports → School Assessed Tasks/Coursework Report (which provides a detailed list of task scores awarded at student level) to provide schools with a comprehensive analysis of the school assessment task scores they have entered.
Schools are asked to run the School Assessed Coursework Summary for Unit 4 coursework. Schools should verify that scores awarded for each Coursework Task use the 2008 Assessment Structure as published in the appropriate VCE Study Design and/or VCE Assessment Guide.
6. After the SIAR 4 closing date
The VCAA will be closely monitoring the input of scores in the days leading up to the SIAR 4 deadline. After this date schools with missing scores or score irregularities will be contacted by the Student Records and Results Unit. Late fees will apply for missing scores.
7. Late Amendments to Coursework Task Scores
The Score Amendment Sheet must be used to request a change for any score after the SIAR 4 due date of Monday 10 November. The Score Amendment Sheet may be produced using the menu:
Results Admin → VCE Reports → Score Amendment Sheet.
Queries on this matter should be referred to the Student Records and Results Unit.
Schools are advised that requests for score changes after results have been released are subject to strict audit procedures and schools may be required to submit the work for audit or review.
8. SIAR 4 Check list for VASS Administrators
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1. Coursework Input Sheets produced and given to teachers. Results Admin → VCE Reports → School Assessed Tasks/Coursework |
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2. Coursework Input Sheets received back from teachers. Check that there are no blank scores; if so, query this with the teacher concerned. |
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3. Coursework scores entered in VASS as they are received from teachers. RESULTS ADMIN → VCE Results Entry → Coursework |
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4. Run the Missing Coursework Scores Report to confirm that there are no missing scores for Unit 3 and Unit 4 Coursework.
RESULTS ADMIN → VCE Reports → School Assessed Tasks/Coursework
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5. Coursework Results Summary Sheets produced and given back to the teachers for checking. RESULTS ADMIN → VCE Reports → School Assessed Tasks/Coursework |
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9. NEXT IMPORTANT DATES
9.1 Enrolment 5 data is due on Monday 17 November 2008. A detailed memorandum will follow shortly.
This is the final date for enrolment in VCE Units 1 and 2, Units of Competence (UoC) enrolments in unscored VET Certificate programs and VCAL Units.
After this date, VASS will not allow schools to:
- Enter or amend enrolments for VCE Units 1 and 2,
- Enter or amend enrolments in VET Certificates and UoCs,
- Enter or amend enrolments for VCAL Units.
9.2 SIAR 5 data is due on Monday 17 November 2008. A detailed memorandum will follow shortly.
The following final results are due for SIAR 5:
- VCE Unit results (Units 1 to 4)
- VCAL Unit results.
- Unit of Competence (UoC) results for VES, VFE and NAP Certificates
- Coursework for VCE VET scored sequences (refer to the VCE and VCAL Administrative Handbook 2008 pages 90-91 for the list of scored VET in Schools Certificates due on this date).
CONTACTS
Any queries regarding Coursework scores should be directed to the Student Records and Results Unit on 9651 4402 or 1800 653 045 for non-metropolitan schools or fax details to 9651 4470 or e-mail: student.records@edumail.vic.gov.au
Any queries related to VASS should be directed to the Administrative Support Unit on 9651 4482 or 1800 827 721. Alternatively, the Unit can be contacted by fax on 9651 4551 or e-mail: vass.support@edumail.vic.gov.au
