Unit 3 Sample approaches to dev​​​eloping an assessment task

Outcome 2

Analyse the factors to consider when initiating a civil claim, discuss the institutions and methods used to resolve civil disputes and evaluate the ability of the civil justice system to achieve the principles of justice.

Step 1: Define the parameters of an outcome and its related assessment options.

The VCE Legal Studies Study Design (pdf - 151.15kb), pages 18 and 19, provides details of the key knowledge and key skills related to Unit 3 Outcome 2 and the corresponding area of study, ‘The Victorian Civil Justice System’.

Teachers should be familiar with the relevant key knowledge and key skills to plan an assessment task. It should be noted that each key knowledge and key skill dot point does not need to be identifiable in the task, nor should the task focus on too narrow a range of key knowledge and key skills.

The study design identifies a range of task types which could be used. Teachers should be familiar with the essential characteristics of each task type and the implications of using each in terms of task design and the conduct of assessment.

Step 2: Refer to the assessment advice

The performance descriptors give a clear indication of the qualities and characteristics that should be apparent in a student response at each level of achievement. For example, a high level response for this outcome would evaluate the ability of the civil justice system to achieve the principles of justice, based on a detailed understanding of the factors to consider when initiating a civil claim, and the institutions and methods used to resolve civil disputes. Teachers may select from a range of specified assessment tasks.

Step 3: Determining teaching and learning activities

The teacher should plan a sequence of teaching and learning activities that will develop pre-task knowledge and skills using the key knowledge and key skills to be learnt in Unit 3, Area of Study 2.

Teachers may consider using a range of tasks as part of the teaching and learning activities. Both key knowledge and key skills as specified in the area of study must be addressed, presented and practised in class in order to prepare students.

For example, in Unit 3 area of study 2 the teacher should focus on learning activities that would build student knowledge and skills so they can:

• analyse factors to consider when initiating a civil claim
• explain the purposes of pre-trial procedures, using examples, and explain the reasons for the Victorian court hierarchy in determining civil cases
• discuss and justify the appropriateness of institutions and methods used to resolve a civil dispute
• discuss the responsibilities of key personnel in a civil trial, and the ability of remedies to achieve their purposes
• evaluate the ability of the civil justice system to achieve the principles of justice, discuss recent reforms and recommended reforms to the civil justice system
• synthesise and apply legal principles and information to actual and/or hypothetical scenarios.

Step 4: Design the assessment task

The School-assessed Coursework task for Unit 3 Area of Study 2 is worth 50 marks of the 100 marks available for internal assessment for Unit 3. It should be completed at the end of Area of Study 2, to ensure that students have been exposed to and had the opportunity to grasp the specified key knowledge and key skills. The exact dates and times for assessment to take place is a school based decision that may be determined after consultation with students, VCE coordinators and other key staff.