The Victorian Government is working with the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) to use a robust and nationally-recognised assessment tool to address errors that occurred in the 2024 VCE exams – and to ensure every student is assessed fairly.
The VCAA will use the existing anomalous grade check process for the VCE exams impacted by the errors, a well established process used by the VCAA to ensure student results are fair and equitable.
Similar processes including a consideration of disadvantage process were used by the VCAA during COVID-19.
This process will:
Review student marks in the affected exams and identify any anomalies in how students have responded to the affected questions.
Analyse if any discrepancies are identified and if so, further analysis will be undertaken. This could include comparing how students performed compared to other students, and how students performed on other examinations.
Adjust student marks if any questions are identified as providing anyone with an unfair advantage. This could mean invalidating questions and awarding all students who sat this exam a full mark if necessary.
The implementation of this process will be overseen by an independent advisory panel of experts chaired by Professor John Firth. Professor Firth is a former CEO of the VCAA and supported the development of the Consideration of Disadvantage Process during COVID-19 and is familiar with the anomalous grade check process.
Professor Firth will be joined on the expert panel by Dr Nathan Zoanetti, Research Director, Methodology and Measurement with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) and the internationally regarded education measurement expert and former Chair of the Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority, Professor Barry McGaw AO.
The CEO of the VCAA, Kylie White has resigned her position. The Secretary of the Department of Education has appointed Dr Marcia Devlin AM, the CEO of the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, to act in the role of Interim CEO pending a permanent appointment.
Students, parents and carers who have any questions about this process should first contact their school who has received information from the VCAA.
As stated by Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Ben Carroll
“I am extremely disappointed by what has occurred. I have instructed the VCAA to take all necessary action to ensure that all students are treated fairly, and no student is disadvantaged in the marking of this year’s exams.”
“I am satisfied that, supported by additional independent experts, the right processes are in
place to ensure that that every single student has the best chance to achieve their best.”
“The root-and-branch review of the VCAA that will commence in January 2025 should ensure
the cause of these errors is clearly identified so they are not repeated.”
