VCE Notes Petition to VCAA, re: change to timetabling policy.

[enwiabe]

I was utterly horrified to read the following letter that appeared in today's Age:

"Exam timetable change is too tough
I WONDER if VCE students, their teachers and parents are aware that at its December meeting the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority approved a change to the policy on students timetabled with three examinations in one day?

The new policy states that in order to "maintain the integrity of the VCE examination process, students will now be required to sit all three examinations in one day" (VCAA Bulletin, No. 57, March 2008, page 4).

In past years students were allowed to sit one of the examinations on the following morning.

I know that examinations are by definition meant to be testing but to ask students to sit three examinations in the one day really does seem not only overly demanding, but also unfair.

I think that the VCAA should review this decision.

Bill Anderson, senior fellow, University of Melbourne"

I would appreciate your thoughts on the matter before I fire off an angry e-mail on behalf of the VCE Notes community. I was also thinking of, after my e-mail is replied to, if nothing happens - you guys might like to fire off a similar one, citing mine. Anyway, I will take action, but I would like your thoughts and opinions before I do.

[ed_saifa]

I rekon it is horrible to sit 3 exams in one day. Two is more than enough

[costargh]

I read that today too. I wasn't soo much horrified. More disappointed and sympathetic for the people who are affected by this bureaucracy. Simply a convenient way for VCAA to simplify the exam procedure with very little consideration given to the considerable disadvantage students are placed in when it comes to determining their ENTER.
Poor effort by VCAA.

Suggestion: Maybe attach some opinions by VCEnotes members in your e-mail to them to show the general consensus of VCEnotes users.

[enwiabe]

Good idea! Will do. I was thinking of a poll, but that's even better. I'll probably hunt down posters for their full names and screenshot the post.

[droodles]

you have got to be kidding me.

[bubbles]

I definitely agree that it is too tough. I'm pretty certain that majority of the VCE students feels the same way. Last year i was in the position of sitting two exams on the one day and boy was i under a lot of stress!

[Eriny]

Yeah, I've sat 4 exams in the space of 2 days and that itself was terrible. I don't know whether or not my performance was affected (I suspect it may have been in the fourth exam). Exams themselves are mentally stressful things, this change will make them physically stressful as well.

I think if we're seriously committed to this, just an email is not enough. We need to get the word out that the VCAA has changed this rule, without even consulting those who are most affected by it (i.e. the students).

[costargh]

Which was your 4th exam if you don't mind me asking?

[AppleXY]

One question though, when is this 'three examinations' policy going to be in act? In 2008 or 9?

The '08 exam timetable is fully defined and locked right?

[Eriny]

Which was your 4th exam if you don't mind me asking?

Economics. That said, I don't think my study score would have been impacted very much if indeed it was at all.

[ninwa]

That's utterly ridiculous! By all means fire off an angry letter or a million to VCAA dan

[enwiabe]

Yeah, I've sat 4 exams in the space of 2 days and that itself was terrible. I don't know whether or not my performance was affected (I suspect it may have been in the fourth exam). Exams themselves are mentally stressful things, this change will make them physically stressful as well.

I think if we're seriously committed to this, just an email is not enough. We need to get the word out that the VCAA has changed this rule, without even consulting those who are most affected by it (i.e. the students).

Got any ideas re: spreading the word? I don't have much access to methods of spreading material other than this website. :-/

[cara.mel]

They should improve their timetabling abilities so that the situation doesn't arise in the first place, eg keep similar subjects apart. Eg don't run physics/chem/spec on consecutive days (though I guess I have nothing to complain about vs people who have more than one exam/day)

And I'll edit this post to have a well thought out point of view, but my general gist is: over recent years vcaa has made many improvements to their system (special consideration vs sorry, come back and do the exam next year) etc. This is a step backwards, because undoubtedly it is easier to manage. but their primary concern should be the students, not making more money, so they should keep what was in place.

[Eriny]

Yeah, I've sat 4 exams in the space of 2 days and that itself was terrible. I don't know whether or not my performance was affected (I suspect it may have been in the fourth exam). Exams themselves are mentally stressful things, this change will make them physically stressful as well.

I think if we're seriously committed to this, just an email is not enough. We need to get the word out that the VCAA has changed this rule, without even consulting those who are most affected by it (i.e. the students).

Got any ideas re: spreading the word? I don't have much access to methods of spreading material other than this website. :-/

The only thing I can think of right now is a flyer drop. Perhaps in schools?

[enwiabe]

Resources, Eriny. I'm full time uni, also helping to run a major Victorian debating competition, maintaining this site etc. I just don't have the time. However, the 30 minutes - an hour it would take to draft a cogent letter containing user sentiment would be pretty effective without the time input.