Memorandum to Schools 115/2009

27 October 2009

Submission of SIAR 4 - VCE Unit 4 Coursework Scores

Schools are reminded that SIAR 4: VCE Unit 4 Coursework Scores are due by MONDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2009. 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 2009.

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 VCE 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 VCE 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 2009 (MS Excel spreadsheet),
VASS ADMIN - VCE Data Entry - Guidelines 2009 (MS Word document).

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.

Note: Where a student was enrolled in Unit 3 but not Unit 4 of a VCE study (e.g., Interrupted Studies students or students withdrawn from Unit 4) the result of NA (Not Assessed), MUST be recorded for Unit 4 Coursework. This result is entered through UNIT 3 of the study. Example: for studies with separate graded assessments for Unit 3 and Unit 4 Coursework such as English enter the Unit 3 unit code and select Graded Assessment 2 for Coursework Unit 4.

A score between zero and the maximum, or NA (Not Assessed) must be entered.

A zero score should only be given where the work was submitted but did not score against the assessment criteria.
NA should only be given where the work was not submitted for assessment or where students have left school or withdrawn from the subject after the official closing dates.

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.

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.

6. 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 9 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.

CONTACTS

Any queries regarding Coursework scores should be directed to the Student Records and Results Unit on 9651 4376 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 for non metropolitan schools.Alternatively, the Unit can be contacted by fax on 9651 4551 or e-mail: vass.support@edumail.vic.gov.au