[English] Re:vels reporting

[Gail]

I am in avoidance mode obviously.

The thing that is worrying me at the moment is the new VELs reporting 
system, in particular the comments section which separates the good from the 
bad.  I have some experience with writing reports in this style and it is 
cumbersome, adding to the workload, but more to the point, seems to 
encourage a focus on the negatives if one is not extremely careful about how 
the needs to improve section is written.   The reports themselves don't ask 
anything that we haven't already been doing, but precludes the "X does this 
well but... " linked ebb and flow of praise followed by suggestions for 
improvement which I have always found to be a powerful tool.

My previous school required us to write this style of report for our Year 
12's. The first set of this style of reports I wrote resulted in a 
distressed student worrying that they were hopeless because he only read the 
needs to improve section.  I learnt to be much more circumspect and to make 
those links in that section.

I am wondering why it is that we don't stand up and shout that these reports 
are not appropriate for secondary schools?  Are we such well trained bunnies 
that we meekly just take it?  Seems I am.
Gail


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kathy Skidmore" <skidmore.kathy.l at edumail.vic.gov.au>
To: "VCE English Teachers' Mailing List" <english at edulists.com.au>
Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 10:25 AM
Subject: Re: [English] Important .. New English List Information .. 
SaveThisEmail


> Yes, I also value the conversations on this list - even if I just look and
> don't respond.
> However, is anyone else feeling a tad snowed under? Marking SACs, dealing
> with new reports, checking units against VELS, dealing with a new VCE 
> course
> next year, keeping up with professional reading... How is everyone else
> dealing with it? Some people seem to be finding it to be quite a battle at
> the moment. What are the long-term implications of this? As we know, our
> correction load is really demanding - especially at this time of year.
>
>
> On 25/5/06 10:14 AM, "Gail" <reynolds.gail.g at edumail.vic.gov.au> wrote:
>
>> Thank you Stephen and Kevork.
>> I really value the sharing of information that this list facilitates. 
>> How
>> nice it is when people come to me for information and I have it at my 
>> finger
>> tips because either someone on the list has provided it or has alerted us 
>> to
>> its existence.
>>
>> Gail R
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Stephen Loosley" <stephen at skyoptic.com.au>
>> To: <english at edulists.com.au>
>> Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 9:10 PM
>> Subject: [English] Important .. New English List Information .. Save
>> ThisEmail
>>
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> Welcome to your new English Teacher's Mailing List!  Please
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>>> As you know, being a member of the old 'English' mailing list,
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>>> Stephen Loosley
>>> Victoria, Australia
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>>
>>
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Important - 
This email and any attachments may be confidential. If received in error, please contact us and delete all copies. Before opening or using attachments check them for viruses and defects. Regardless of any loss, damage or consequence, whether caused by the negligence of the sender or not, resulting directly or indirectly from the use of any attached files our liability is limited to resupplying any affected attachments. Any representations or opinions expressed are those of the individual sender, and not necessarily those of the Department of Education & Training.