Student assessment and progress

The Student Assessment and Progress (SAP) Policy and its associated procedures set out the principles and processes for carrying out assessment and for managing the progress of students.

Policy

The Student Assessment and Progress Policy applies to all coursework programs across the University - higher education (HE), vocational education (VE) and further education (FE). It does not apply to Doctoral programs or those considered Higher Degree by Research (HDR).

The policy outlines important principles for how student assessment and progress is to be undertaken and managed. It also includes information on the roles and responsibilities of faculty leaders and other staff.

For assessment matters, the policy covers issues such as:

• Student access to unit documentation
• Criterion-referenced assessment
• Feedback for students
• Ensuring assessment practices are equitable, transparent, consistent and reliable
• Assessment moderation and validation
• Academic honesty
• Confidentiality of student work
• Timely, accurate and systematic recording of assessment results

For progress matters, the policy covers issues such as:

• Providing a supportive teaching and learning environment
• Students' commitment to their own learning
• Support to overcome problems
• Managing unsatisfactory progress
• Particular requirements for overseas students studying in Australia and onshore international students

 

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Procedures

To cater for differences between the sectors, separate HE and VE/FE Procedures accompany the policy. These provide more detailed information on the processes to be followed in order to ensure the requirements outlined in the policy are met. The Procedures also contain various template forms and letters for use by faculties in managing students' progress.

 

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Flow charts for procedures

Student appeals against results procedure for higher education students

Student progress procedure for higher education students

Student progress procedure for vocational education and further education students

Recognition of prior learning (credit) procedure for higher education students

Recognition of prior learning/credit procedure for vocational education and further education students

 

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Information for staff

As a result of feedback received since 20 June 2011, a number of further changes and improvements have been made to the Student Assessment and Progress Policy and its Procedures. A summary of these changes are outlined below. Please note that the amendments to the policy are minor (to reflect extensive feedback and some editorial re-wording of existing provisions).

The amendments to the procedures, which are subject to review and ongoing amendment as required, are designed to assist in the policy's implementation and are based on feedback received from Faculty reports to ERB and PVC (Academic and Students) and includes detailed input from Faculty staff, International Student Support and VU International, Associate Director VET Strategy, Curriculum Maintenance Managers and Policy Officer.

 

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Minor amendments december 2011

Higher education (HE) procedures

• Conceded Pass
• Removal of special consideration as a condition for offering a conceded pass, therefore special consideration from list of conditions for offering a conceded pass is deleted.
• Student Appeals Against Results
• Student appeals against results procedure is changed to a three step process (replaces the existing two step process). The addition of timelines for managing the student appeals process is also included and the requirement for the students to appeal to be in writing and for staff to respond in writing and keep records on the student file is specified.
• Inclusion of a link to a summary flow chart of the student appeals against results procedure for students.
• Student Progress
• ASPB to review overall progress of students and focus on “individual students’ at risk and making unsatisfactory progress” instead of “Reviewing the progress of individual students”.
• ASPB is responsible for: “Documenting all decisions and actions taken and recording on the student file”.
• Inclusion of a summary table on student progress. Combine information from two existing tables into one table. (Combine information on ‘Academic Standing Levels’ and ‘Actions to be taken’ into one table and also include that all student progress records need to be kept on the student file). Delete academic standing level 1 (no need to rank good standing) and reduce academic standing levels to 1-4. Inclusion that students are required to show evidence of compliance with previous agreements.
• Inclusion of a summary flow chart of student progress procedure for HE students.
• Inclusion of space for student signature in all progress letter proformas
• Special Consideration
• Updated information on Special Consideration to align with changes to Special Consideration form
• Inclusion of information to emphasise the role of the ASPB and chair when out-of-cycle, in granting final authorisation for applications for Special Consideration
• Addition of “counsellor” for clarity (replaces Non VU counselor)
• Compliance
• Deletion of the word “compliance”. Inclusion of information on managing quality assurance and emphasising continuous improvement rather than focus on compliance
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
• Inclusion of a link to a summary flow chart of the RPL procedure for Higher Education students

 

Vocational education/further education (VE/FE) procedures

• Student Progress
• Inclusion of link to a summary flow chart of the student progress procedure for VE/FE students
• Inclusion of space for student signature in all progress letter proformas
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit
• Inclusion of updated information on RPL and credit
• Inclusion of a link to a summary flow chart of RPL procedure for Vocational Education and Further Education students

 

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Visual guide

Student assessment and progress
A Visual Guide

 

Guide book

The VE/FE Practice Guide Book is not part of the policies or procedures. It was developed as a separate resource in 2007 to provide assistance to VE/FE faculties.

Student assessment and progress VE/FE guide book
Guide Book

 

Access the policy

Student assessment and progress policy
View or download the full current Policy document

You can also access the Student Assessment and Progress Policy (and other key policies) via the University's central policy register.

The policy can be found under 'S' in the A-Z index.

 

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Make an enquiry

 

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