Essential Assessment & Mathematics Victorian Curriculum 2.0 [For Parents]
The Victorian Government has recently changed the F-10 school Mathematics curriculum to raise Australian learning outcomes to meet higher international standards. This new curriculum was released in Term 3, 2023.
Although this new curriculum isn’t mandated until 2025, many Victorian teachers have already begun preparing for the adjustment by preparing new units of work and pre-assessing students in Mathematics using the new curriculum. They will be provided with increased planning time and curriculum leadership support to develop learning and teaching cycles aligned with the new standards.
Your child’s school may have already begun this work, which may mean your child is now being assessed using the new curriculum. If you aren't sure, speak to your child’s teacher.
Attainment Levels in Victorian Curriculum 2.0 vs Victorian Curriculum 1.0
We’re hearing feedback from teachers that in some cases, student attainment levels obtained in Essential Assessment Victorian Curriculum 2.0 Numeracy assessments are lower than levels achieved in tests from version 1.0.
As a parent, this might mean that your child achieves a lower level this year than they did last year in a similar assessment.
Please be reassured that it is likely that your child’s learning and capabilities in Mathematics have not regressed - rather, the curriculum targets have been changed. This may mean that your child’s overall mathematics attainment level in 2024 may be showing as lower than in 2023.
The changes highlight that the Victorian Government expects more from the learning area of Mathematics - basically, the new Curriculum is more challenging, in multiple areas.
Victorian teachers are working hard to adjust their teaching and planning to the new curriculum but it will take them a little time to adjust. We expect student attainment levels to ‘even out’ over time.
A Strong Home-School Partnership
The following actions can really help to build a strong home-school partnership that can support your child’s learning in Mathematics, particularly during this time of change.
- Proactively support your child’s teacher as they navigate the changes, and meet with them as and when possible for Learning Check-Ins
- Be mindful of possible implementation dips in your child’s Mathematics achievement, but more importantly, focus on the growth demonstrated
- Encourage your child to focus on their next learning steps
- Raise any queries or concerns with your child’s teacher
- If the opportunity arises, talk positively about the changes with your child.
If you have further queries about the new Victorian Curriculum, please contact your child's teacher.