Why become a VCE assessor

This is general information only and details can vary from study to study

Why become a VCE assessor?

Assessing VCE external assessments provides a valuable professional development and learning experience.

All appointed assessors receive a full day's training covering all aspects of the assessment process which is recognised by the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) as approved professional development.

What experience is needed to be a VCE assessor?

Teaching experience at VCE Units 3 and 4 of the study applied for.

How do you apply to be an assessor?

Applications are taken online by accessing the SSMS website: https://www.ssms.vic.edu.au

If you require assistance lodging an application, contact the Human Resources Unit (vcaa.hr@education.vic.gov.au)

Troubleshooting advice is also given in the SSMS main menu.

What information should be included in the application?

1. Length of time teaching at VCE Units 3 and 4 level
2. Length of time teaching the particular study at VCE Units 3 and 4 level
3. Previous and current places of employment
4. Experience in marking VCE external assessments and other related curriculum or assessment roles with the VCAA or similar roles in other jurisdictions
5. Professional development in VCE Units 3 and 4
6. Suitable referees
7. Educational background & qualifications.

Are there any conditions or requirements?

All appointed assessors are required to abide with the following conditions of appointment:

1. VCE Assessor roles and responsibilities
2. VCAA requirements in relation to declaring any conflict of interest, in particular, any close relationships and associations with students and/or schools
3. DET core values as outlined under the 'Other Resources' section at https://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/workm/Pages/PublicSV-Corporate.aspx

Conflict of interest

What is a conflict of interest?

A conflict of interest is a conflict between your personal or private interests, and assessor responsibilities. Conflicts of interest can be actual, potential or perceived.

Applicants must familiarise themselves with the VCAA Conflict of Interest policy as outlined at: https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Documents/corppolicies/Conflict-of-Interest-Policy-and-Procedures.docx

Identifying a conflict of interest

Applicants must consider the relationship between a private interest and assessor responsibilities to identify any conflict of interest.

Applicants must declare:

1. Any close relationships or association with:
• any student enrolled in one or more VCE unit 3-4 study
• any teacher, school (educational organisation) and/or person involved with the VCE external assessment program.

This includes:

• any student the assessor teaches, tutors or coaches
• any school (educational organisation) at which an assessor teaches, supervises VCE examinations or is otherwise connected to/involved with by professional or personal association.
2. Associations with any textbook, study notes/guide or other resources in general use for the examination they wish to assess
3. Participation with seminars or lectures for students and teachers

If appointed, Assessors must agree to inform the VCAA of any conflict of interest (not previously declared) which arises as a result of their appointment or during the period of their appointment.

VCE Assessor roles and responsibilities

Appointed VCE Assessors are required to:

1. Abide by the conditions of appointment
2. Follow assessment practices and procedures as required by the VCAA
3. Familiarise themselves with the assessment procedures prior to the Assessor Training Meeting
4. Attend a compulsory full-day training meeting
5. Assess external assessments independently in accordance with the advice and procedures outlined in the assessor manual* and the marking guide**
6. Be available to meet all marking requirements and deadlines as specified by the VCAA
7. Maintain the security and confidentiality of all assessment information and materials
8. Provide feedback to the Chief Assessor and/or VCAA VCE Assessment Project Manager (as requested).

*The Assessor Manual is a CONFIDENTIAL document containing important administrative and procedural information with which all appointed assessors need to be familiar.

**The assessment guide is CONFIDENTIAL document providing detailed and clear instruction on how each question in an examination should be interpreted and marked. It is made available to appointed assessors at the Assessor Training Meeting.

Assessor Training Meetings

A training meeting is held for assessors before any marking commences.

Attendance at the training meeting is compulsory - an appointed assessor who does not attend the meeting will not be permitted to assess.

The main purpose of the Assessor Training Meeting is to ensure consistent and independent application of the Assessment Guide. A broad range of student responses are explored to establish clear and consistent benchmarks for all assessors.

Information will also be provided regarding the VCAA's requirement for confidentiality and security of student response materials, practice marking and the procedures, timelines and expectations associated with the marking process.

Scheduling of training meetings

Training meetings dates are published via the Assessor Info Database link on the SSMS Bulletin Board. This is updated regularly throughout the year as the training dates for the various processes become available.

Training meetings usually run from 9:00am - 5:00pm at the VCAA Assessment Centre. They can be scheduled on a weekday or weekend

It is sometimes necessary to schedule training meetings during school hours. When this occurs a Casual Relief Teacher (CRT) payment to the assessor's home school is made available (where necessary) to release the teacher from their duties and to cover the teacher's absence.

When a training meeting is scheduled on a day an assessor would normally be required at school, the Principal must be informed and ensure that approval to attend has been granted. When training does not occur in school hours or where the assessor is not currently teaching at a school, a training payment is then made available to the individual.

The VCAA will provide Principals with information about the appointment of staff from their schools, the dates of training meetings and the availability of CRT payments to secure the release of staff.

Marking expectations

VCE external assessments are marked independently by at least two assessors.

Assessors are expected to mark consistently throughout the marking period. This not only ensures marking is completed according to defined timelines, it also ensures a fair result for the students whose work is being assessed.

The actual amount of marking expected to be completed by assessors varies between external assessments and depends on variables such as cohort size, the defined assessment schedule and the number of appointed assessors

Written examinations

The majority of the written examinations are marked in the assessor's home while a small number are marked at the VCAA Assessment Centre in Coburg.

Written examinations are assessed online using either online marking system or VOSS. Both systems are secure websites which allow assessors to mark online, rather than use pen and paper.

eMARK

eMARK is an external contractor managed system which allows assessors to view and mark student work online.

Assessors access scripts online and mark independently one item at a time.

An item can be either a single question or a number of questions grouped together. Assessors will normally mark 20-30 of the same item before moving to another item.

VOSS

VOSS is a VCAA managed system which allows assessors to enter scores for student work directly onto the VCAA database.

In most cases, assessors will be required to read a student's response material (answer book) then enter scores for each question using VOSS.

Assessors are allocated a prescribed number of examination papers to mark. If marking from home assessors will be paired with another assessor for the initial marking phase and be required to swap papers with that partner at the conclusion of the first round of marking.

Wherever possible, assessors will be paired with someone living in close proximity however this is not always possible and assessors will need to travel to swap their bags of script halfway through the assessment period.

Performance and Language Oral examinations and Extended Investigation oral presentation

Performance and Language oral examinations and the Extended Investigation oral presentations are marked at VCAA managed venues across metropolitan and regional Victoria throughout October and early November. Wherever possible, assessors will be allocated to a venue in relatively close proximity however this is not always possible

Personal expenses are covered by the VCAA in specific circumstances according to its published Reimbursement guidelines.

The number of assessing days will vary between examinations depending on variables such as cohort size, student timetabling, venue size, location and availability as well as the number of appointed assessors

Applicants are requested to make themselves available for as many days as possible during the marking period. This provides greater opportunity for allocation of marking days and facilitates flexibility in generating assessing schedules.

Applicants for VCE and VCE VET Music examinations need to be aware that weekends are utilised to timetable students and therefore you may be asked to work weekends if appointed.

Leading assessor roles(Chief Assessor or Assistant Chief Assessor)

Experienced and suitably qualified assessors are encouraged to apply for leading assessor roles each year.

Individuals can apply for the position of Chief Assessor or Assistant Chief Assessor when they complete their application to be an assessor

Applicants for leading assessor roles must have the following experience

1. Abide by the conditions of appointment

They must be able to demonstrate through their application that they have the ability to:

1. Conduct professional meetings and gain agreement on assessment guidelines
2. Implement VCAA policies and procedures in relation to supporting VCE assessment
3. Monitor and analyse assessor performance
4. Provide timely and constructive feedback to assessors and to the VCAA; and
5. Communicate effectively
6. Ensure adherence to VCAA assessment policies and procedures
7. Manage project risks and issues as they arise
8. Effectively manage the work of teams and adhere to assessment timeframes
9. Liaise with the relevant personnel from the VCAA

If you would like to know more about being an assessor or what being a leading assessor involves, contact VCAA Examinations on (03)7022 5550 or via email examinations.vcaa@education.vic.gov.au