Media Releases - 2002

VCAA Discipline Hearings Complete

24 December 2002

The Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) has completed a series of disciplinary hearings relating to an investigation into an alleged security breach in this year's VCE exams.

VCAA chairman Professor Kwong Lee Dow said a total of 50 students from 26 schools (15 Government, 4 Catholic, 6 Independent and 1 adult provider) were asked to appear before discipline committees at hearings beginning on Tuesday, December 17 and ending today.

Of the 50 cases heard, 10 students pleaded guilty while 40 pleaded not guilty.

The Board has since found 20 students guilty (5 females and 15 males) and 30 students not guilty.

Of those found guilty, 13 students have had a grade reduction, five students have received a cancellation of a subject, one has been reprimanded and one student has had all results and ENTER score cancelled.

Six students who did not attend the hearings have had their cases heard in absentia.

Prof. Lee Dow said all students who appeared before the discipline committee were advised of the outcomes of the hearings immediately.

"Students involved in the hearings have since had their results mailed to them and should receive results by today (December 24)," he said.

He said VTAC has advised that these students will have sufficient time to make a change of preference.

In November, the authority uncovered a possible security breach in this year's VCE exams after tip-offs and consequent database analyses, which indicated anomalies between some students' exam results and other results in those subjects.

A VCAA investigation into the possible breach was initiated involving former WA Police Commissioner and Victorian Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bob Falconer.

A report into the investigation will be prepared for the VCAA early in the New Year.