Victorian Certificate of Education
Students being treated for cancer are eligible for special provisions when undertaking their VCE. These provisions are available to assist students to undertake coursework tasks, sit exams or meet the requirements for unit outcomes. Other provisions allow students to follow a different pattern in achieving the VCE. For example, a student may interrupt their studies so that results achieved prior to becoming ill may be retained and combined with results achieved in the following year when the student returns to school. This allows a study score to be calculated over two years.
In other cases, workload may be reduced by withdrawing from some or all studies. The uses of technology, scribes, readers or extra time are all special examination arrangements which may also be used for coursework tasks. There are many ways in which a student may be assisted.
Special provision
Special Provision provides all students with the maximum opportunity to participate in and complete their senior secondary studies. Individual students may need special provisions in their learning program to achieve the learning outcomes and in assessment to demonstrate their learning and achievement.
Students who are eligible for Special Provision are not exempt from meeting the requirements for Satisfactory Completion of the VCE, or from being assessed against the outcomes for a study. Special Provision ensures that the most appropriate arrangements and options are available for students whose learning and assessment programs are affected by illness impairment or personal circumstances, to demonstrate their capabilities.
Forms of special provision
There are four forms of Special Provision for the VCE:
- Student programs
- School-based assessment
- Special Examination Arrangements
- Derived Examination Score
In each case there are specific eligibility requirements that apply.
For student programs and school-based assessment, the school is responsible for determining eligibility and the nature of the provisions granted. The school's policies and procedures should be clearly documented and communicated to students.
It is strongly recommended that schools keep records of all decisions made for each student.
For Special Examination Arrangements and Derived Examination Score applications, the VCAA is responsible for determining eligibility and for granting approval.
The following links provide further information and useful contacts:
- VCAA www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/exams/index.html
- Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre www.vtac.edu.au/common/dates.html
Special entry access schemes (SEAS)
SEAS is the umbrella program for all special entry schemes conducted by participating institutions. There are two distinct and separate schemes:
This scheme is aimed at assisting Current Year 12 students who have experienced circumstances that can be demonstrated to have had an adverse impact on the final year of their secondary school performance.
Being eligible to apply under one of these schemes does not guarantee an offer since you are competing with other eligible applicants.
Regional Disability Liaison Officers and Disability Coordination Officers National Website.
This website provides information to assist people with a disability move from school into training and higher education, and then into their chosen career. Further information and resources for Teachers and Support Staff can be found on the ADCET website.