VELS
Encyclopedia
In the state of Victoria, Australia, the Victorian Essential Learning Standards (VELS) is the curriculum framework
for Preparatory to Year 10 school levels, which replaced the Curriculum and Standards Framework
II (CSF 2) in 2006. Students starting Year 11 normally proceed to complete the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
, but other education options are available.
and the CSF II, the VELS has six levels, with a general expectation that each level be completed in two years of schooling, with the exception of Level 1, completed in the first year of Primary schooling, known as "Prep", as follows:
Primary School Level
Secondary School Level
The following is a list of teaching areas in the VELS (domains), which are sorted further into dimensions. Each domain belongs to one of three strands: Physical, Personal and Social Learning, Discipline-based Learning or Interdisciplinary Learning. The idea is for these three strands to be woven together to give a balanced education so that students will succeed in further education, work and life. The three strands are represented graphically by a triple-helix inspired diagram.
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The Humanities discipline is organised into four domains:
The Humanities – (Levels 1–3)
Dimensions:
The Humanities – Economics (Levels 4–6)
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The Humanities – Geography (Levels 4–6)
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The Humanities – History (Levels 4–6)
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LOTE has two pathways:
Pathway 1 - for students who begin learning a language in primary school and continue to study the same language to Year 10.
Pathway 2 - for students who begin learning a language in Year 7.
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The Communication domain focuses on developing students who communicate clearly and confidently both at school and for further education and life.
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Design, Creativity and Technology aims to encourage students to think laterally and openly to design, produce and evaluate solutions to problems.
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Curriculum framework
A curriculum framework is an organized plan or set of standards or learning outcomes that defines the content to be learned in terms of clear, definable standards of what the student should know and be able to do....
for Preparatory to Year 10 school levels, which replaced the Curriculum and Standards Framework
Curriculum and Standards Framework
The Curriculum and Standards Framework was developed for teachers Victoria, Australia. It was introduced in Victorian schools in 1995 and republished in 2000 as the CSF II...
II (CSF 2) in 2006. Students starting Year 11 normally proceed to complete the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
Victorian Certificate of Education
The Victorian Certificate of Education or VCE is the credential awarded to secondary school students who successfully complete high school level studies in the state of Victoria, Australia. Study for the VCE is usually completed over two years, but it can be spread over a longer period in some cases...
, but other education options are available.
Breakdown of the VELS
The VELS is a curriculum framework providing a set of areas for teachers to teach. Like the Curriculum and Standards Framework (CSF)Curriculum and Standards Framework
The Curriculum and Standards Framework was developed for teachers Victoria, Australia. It was introduced in Victorian schools in 1995 and republished in 2000 as the CSF II...
and the CSF II, the VELS has six levels, with a general expectation that each level be completed in two years of schooling, with the exception of Level 1, completed in the first year of Primary schooling, known as "Prep", as follows:
Primary School Level
- Level 1 - Preparatory
- Level 2 - Years 1 and 2
- Level 3 - Years 3 and 4
- Level 4 - Years 5 and 6
Secondary School Level
- Level 5 - Years 7 and 8
- Level 6 - Years 9 and 10
The following is a list of teaching areas in the VELS (domains), which are sorted further into dimensions. Each domain belongs to one of three strands: Physical, Personal and Social Learning, Discipline-based Learning or Interdisciplinary Learning. The idea is for these three strands to be woven together to give a balanced education so that students will succeed in further education, work and life. The three strands are represented graphically by a triple-helix inspired diagram.
Health and Physical Education
Standards at levels 1,2,3,4,5,6Dimensions:
- Movement and physical activity
- Health knowledge and promotion
Interpersonal Development
Standards at levels 1,2,3,4,5,6Dimensions:
- Building social relationships
- Working in teams
Personal Learning
Standards at levels 3,4,5,6Dimensions:
- The individual learner
- Managing personal learning
Civics and Citizenship
Standards at levels 3, 4, 5, 6. Civics and Citizenship aims to teach students what it means to be citizens in a democracy.Dimensions:
- Civil knowledge and understanding: Concepts such as political and legal systems are introduced, and basic history relating to Australian politics is covered.
- Community engagement: This is a hands-on approach to developing skills related to living and existing in a community. Students will engage in group activities, and make decisions while applying their knowledge of the concepts of democracy and the rules of governance. Students learn to look at issues objectively and give opinions on local and global issues.
The Arts
Standards at levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6Dimensions:
- Creating and making
- Exploring and responding
English
Standards at levels 1,2,3,4,5,6.Dimensions:
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking and listening
The Humanities
Standards at levels 3, 4, 5, 6The Humanities discipline is organised into four domains:
The Humanities – (Levels 1–3)
Dimensions:
- Humanities knowledge and understanding
- Humanities skills
The Humanities – Economics (Levels 4–6)
Dimensions:
- Economics knowledge and understanding
- Economics reasoning and interpretation
The Humanities – Geography (Levels 4–6)
Dimensions:
- Geographical knowledge and understanding
- Geospatial skills
The Humanities – History (Levels 4–6)
Dimensions:
- Historical knowledge and understanding
- Historical reasoning and interpretation
LOTE (Languages other than English)
Dimensions:- Communicating in a language other than English
- Intercultural knowledge and language awareness.
LOTE has two pathways:
Pathway 1 - for students who begin learning a language in primary school and continue to study the same language to Year 10.
- Standards at levels 4, 5, 6
Pathway 2 - for students who begin learning a language in Year 7.
- Standards at levels 5, 6
Mathematics
Standards at levels 1,2,3,4,5,6Dimensions:
- Number
- Space
- Measurement, chance and data
- Structure
- Working mathematically
Science
Standards at levels 3, 4, 5, 6Dimensions:
- Science knowledge and understanding
- Science at work
Communication
Standards at levels 4, 5, 6.The Communication domain focuses on developing students who communicate clearly and confidently both at school and for further education and life.
Dimensions:
- Listening, viewing and responding: Students learn how to listen, view and respond to content. Students are taught conventions in communication, strategies in communication and familiarity with different forms of content presentation.
- Presenting: Students are taught how to present information in a coherent and appropriate manner for the situation, and to understand formats of presentation.
Design, Creativity and Technology
Standards at levels 3, 4, 5, 6.Design, Creativity and Technology aims to encourage students to think laterally and openly to design, produce and evaluate solutions to problems.
Dimensions:
- Investigating and designing: Students identify problems and develop and use design briefs (summaries of the problem and specifications). Students research and investigate relevant information about the problem and resources (for example materials, tools and equipment), processes, and represent and plan production of possible solutions.
- Producing: Students produce their solution for the problem, learning how to safely use tools, equipment and materials (such as food, wood, metal, plastics and textiles) and electrical and/or mechanical components to make a system.
- Analysing and evaluating: This involves students testing and evaluating the effectiveness of the solution they have produced and the impacts of their own and others’ products.
Information and Communications Technology
Standards at levels 2, 3, 4, 5, 6Dimensions:
- ICT for visualising thinking
- ICT for creating
- ICT for communicating
Thinking Processes
Standards at levels 3, 4, 5, 6Dimensions:
- Reasoning, processing and inquiry
- Creativity
- Reflection, evaluation and metacognition
Intended aims of the VELS
- A curriculum that recognises what students need to know and be able to do to succeed in the world such as managing themselves as individuals and in relation to others; understanding the world in which they live; and acting effectively in that world.
- To provide clearer assessment and reporting strategies to better inform parents about student achievement.
Changes to Victorian Standards
- The VELS is the third program to be introduced into Victoria in the past decade, with the CSF in 1995 and the CSF II in 2000. It builds on the CSF recognising that the CSF had many strengths. The CSF remains as a good curriculum resource to help teachers develop teaching and learning programs in the VELS.
See also
- Curriculum and Standards FrameworkCurriculum and Standards FrameworkThe Curriculum and Standards Framework was developed for teachers Victoria, Australia. It was introduced in Victorian schools in 1995 and republished in 2000 as the CSF II...
- Curriculum frameworkCurriculum frameworkA curriculum framework is an organized plan or set of standards or learning outcomes that defines the content to be learned in terms of clear, definable standards of what the student should know and be able to do....
- Victorian Curriculum and Assessment AuthorityVictorian Curriculum and Assessment AuthorityThe Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority is a statutory authority of the Government of Victoria responsible for the provision of curriculum and assessment programs for students in Victoria, Australia...