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Acceleration within the VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education)

The term “acceleration” is used, in this context, when a student takes a VCE study that would normally be taken at a later year level. A number of students, for instance, take Units 1 and 2 in a selected subject as part of their Year 10 course, and, similarly, some of the Year 11 cohort take a Unit 3 and 4 study. For students who take a Unit 3 and 4 study when in Year 11, there are a number of benefits to be gained; these include:

• the opportunity to experience the Year 12 assessment program; students learn from this experience, and are therefore in a better position to cope with assessment at Year 12

• the additional study undertaken contributes to the ATAR score

• the broadening of a student’s Year 12 course, and, by implication, an increased range of prerequisite subjects for tertiary entrance.

It should be emphasised that acceleration is not appropriate for all students. There is a risk that too high a proportion of a student’s energy is devoted to one study, to the detriment of other Year 11 studies being undertaken. The decision as to whether a student can proceed with an acceleration study depends upon an assessment of the likelihood of that student’s capacity to succeed in the study, as well as the availability of places in classes and timetabling constraints. It is also important that the choice of a Unit 3 and 4 study is sensible in the context of the student’s overall course of study; it should not be undertaken for “status” because there are significant demands upon the student’s time and energy which may be detrimental to their performance in other subjects. The student will need to have demonstrated:

• a high ability and interest in the subject area

• a mature approach to his/her work

• good work habits, including self-discipline

• excellent organisational and time-management skills.

These issues require careful consideration on the student’s part, and must be discussed with teachers, the Head of House and the Careers Educator.

There are a number of VCE studies in which acceleration is seen as appropriate, and where students have accelerated successfully in past years. It is likely that places will be available for Years 10 and 11 students, providing that:

• the selection criteria have been met

• the VCE Units chosen complement the remainder of the student’s VCE course, and

• there are available places within the timetable and class constraints; in particular it should be noted that completing Units 1 and 2 in a given subject does not guarantee a place in Units 3 and 4 of the same subject in the following year.

Acceleration Studies - Units 1 and 2 in Year 10

The VCE Units 1 and 2 studies shown here may be available should there be space in Year 11 classes and if timetable considerations make it possible. All Unit 1 and 2 studies are Full Year electives. Acceptance to an accelerated study is subject to approval by the school following consultation with the Head of House, Head of Department and subject teachers.

Under normal circumstances students should accelerate in one subject only, if they have achieved the prerequisite standard outlined below. We also remind students that in many instances it may not be the best strategy to accelerate in a subject that is of high priority within an overall VCE program. Acceleration in Year 10 does not guarantee acceleration opportunities in the same or related subject in Year 11.

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Acceleration Studies - Units 3 and 4 in Year 11

There is opportunity for some Year 11 students to undertake one Unit 3 and 4 sequence within their Year 11 program. This option will be allowed depending on the ability and maturity of the student, the availability of places within the timetable and due consideration of the student’s total program.

Under normal circumstances students should accelerate in one subject only, if they have achieved the prerequisite standard outlined below. We also remind students that in many instances it may not be the best strategy to accelerate in a subject that is of high priority within an overall VCE program. Acceleration in Year 10 does not guarantee acceleration opportunities in the same or related subject in Year 11.

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