VC2.0 English on Essential Assessment

We’re thrilled to be releasing a new VC2.0 English product for our Victorian educators. We’re releasing this new product in phases - starting with Level 2-7 strand assessments, with more to follow in Term 3 and beyond. 

What's changed? 

In response to the new curriculum, as well as teacher and student feedback, our new VC2.0 English product contains many updates we’re sure you’ll love.

Feature

Old Version

New Version (Vic 2.0)
Curriculum Alignment Vic v1.0 Vic V2.0
Assessment Model One short stimulus per content description Rich, multi-descriptor stimulus text per strand
Assessment Structure Assessments grouped by Reading & Viewing and Writing Separate Language, Literature, and Literacy strand assessments
Assessment Bands Multi-year level Two-year bands (e.g., 1-2,2–3, 4–5, 6–7)
Stimulus Design (STIM) Generic texts, isolated skills Integrated, engaging texts designed for skill clusters
Text Complexity Basic readability Lexile-informed, age-appropriate, curriculum-mapped texts
Text Types Often similar format Wider variety, including hybrids and comparative text sets
Accessibility (Text-to-Speech) Limited or none, with a robotic-sounding voice Optional audio on/off for all texts and questions, with much more natural speech
Formats Digital and paper-based assessments Online and printable formats, including multi-modal option of printable reading stimuli
Font Dense sans-serif, not matching how students are taught to write Open, well-spaced letterforms that align with how students learn to read and write, supporting a smoother reading experience
Cognitive Load Low-medium Higher – teachers will need to preview and plan appropriately
Assessment Flow Fixed order Student ZPD checkpoints, pausing, and rest breaks are encouraged

Written by our in-house team of experienced Australian literacy specialists, all of our new English 2.0 assessments feature rich, curriculum-aligned stimulus texts that assess multiple content descriptors in authentic literacy contexts. Unlike traditional assessments focused on isolated outcomes, our model offers a comprehensive and instructional snapshot of student learning. 

What’s available now? 

  • Strand-based English assessments for Levels F-8:
    • Fully aligned to the Victorian Curriculum v2.0 and span the Language, Literature, and Literacy strands
  • My Literacy Years 2-8, online & paper-based.

Please note: We currently don't offer the paper-based version of VC2 Strand F-1 Assessments, due to the heavy reliance on aural listening modes and audio supports embedded in the online assessment experience.

What’s still to come:

2026:

  • Strand assessments & My Literacy Years 9 - 10, online & paper-based

The benefits of VC2.0 English on Essential Assessment 

We believe our new assessments better reflect how literacy is taught and support data-informed instruction. Each text serves as a vehicle for measuring comprehension, text features and structures, language knowledge and writing attributes, aligning with every curriculum descriptor, not just a sample. The result is easy-to-interpret data that leads to more effective reporting conversations and enhanced support for all learners. 

By providing strand-specific insights and more accurate diagnostic information, teachers can better target instruction and report with confidence. 

Additionally, the inclusion of improved accessibility features, such as text-to-speech, printable assessments, multi-modal options, and readability-optimised fonts ensures every student can engage meaningfully.

Learn more 

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