<html dir="ltr">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
<style type="text/css" id="owaParaStyle"></style>
</head>
<body fpstyle="1" ocsi="0">
<div style="direction: ltr;font-family: Tahoma;color: #000000;font-size: 10pt;">Dear colleagues
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I am responding to a query sent through from Steven that arose from a video conferencing session held last week between Steven, Bernd and some teachers undertaking a 'head start' program this year in Algorithmics.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Two questions were raised, and I've included my responses:</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">1) What is the relative weighting of assessment components (e.g. within Unit 3 Outcome 1, where there are three components)</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: medium;"><font face="Arial">Outcomes 1 and 2 form the SAT, and they are marked according to criteria provided by the VCAA. This means that the individual tasks are not weighted like a SAC that has multiple tasks.</font></div>
<div style="font-size: medium;"><font face="Arial"><br>
</font></div>
<div style="font-size: medium;"><font face="Arial">There will be eight criteria each worth 10 marks for the SAT in Unit 3. This criteria will inform you of the relative weighting of evidence captured in tasks. There maybe, for instance, one criterion that has
a direct connection with a task; in other situations a criterion may relate to aspects of a task in each of the outcomes. The criteria will be published at the end of January together with a rubric. It will be a 10-point scale, with five statements per criterion.
The VCAA will hold an all-day training session early in term 1 to work through the criteria and rubrics. </font></div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">2) How will moderation / cross-marking be implemented, which we assume is a requirement for schools with a small cohort of Algorithmics students (< 5?)</div>
</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><br>
</div>
<div style="font-size: medium;"><font face="Arial">Currently all schools with a small enrolment (</font><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">< 5) </span><span style="font-family: Arial;">in a study need to officially form a partnership with another
school to cross mark. I will be able to facilitate this given the small number of providers in 2015. However, I think it would be worthwhile for all schools to engage in cross marking with another school in this initial accreditation period, so it is my intention
to discuss this proposal with the appropriate personnel at the VCAA. Cross marking will support professional learning and teacher confidence. The timing of cross marking is left to the partnership schools, but there will be closing dates by which marks need
to be submitted to the VCAA for both the SAT and SAC.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Once I've had my discussion with the relevant personnel, all schools will be officially notified of the partnership requirements.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further queries.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br>
</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Regards</span></div>
<div style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Paula </span></div>
</div>
<p></p><p><b>Important - </b>This email and any attachments may be confidential. If received in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before opening or using attachments check them for viruses and defects. Regardless of any loss, damage or consequence, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not, resulting directly or indirectly from the use of any attached files our liability is limited to resupplying any affected attachments. Any representations or opinions expressed are those of the individual sender, and not necessarily those of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.</p>
</body>
</html>