English - #Literacy is power

UNDERSTANDING VCE ENGLISH SCORES

I was genuinely amazed by the turnout at my 'Understanding VCE English Scores: What Examiners Reward' session for Year 12 English. It speaks volumes about our Year 12 students’ care, dedication, and willingness to take responsibility for their learning already.

The purpose of the session was to deepen students’ understanding of how English is assessed, the average performance for the state, and most importantly, what separates a 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 from a 10. A huge thank you to Ms Martin who was able to provide further insight from a VCAA examiner's perspective. 

Unlike other subject areas, VCAA’s approach to English assessment is less prescriptive and relies heavily on teacher interpretation of broad rubrics and nuanced descriptors.

Developing a deep understanding of what constitutes high-quality responses requires:

• years of experience interpreting study designs
• unpacking examination reports
• staff engaging in professional learning

So, the most effective way for staff to support our Year 12’s in achieving strong English outcomes is by continuously enhancing their collective knowledge of VCAA expectations – and then passing it on to our students. 

Alexandra Rees

Learning Leader - English