The fallout from the accidental release of exam information on the VCAA website continues, with 7 News reporting that some families are considering legal action if students miss out on university places due to the error.
Parents Victoria CEO Gail McHardy was interviewed on the 4pm 7 News bulletin on 19 November. Here are Gail’s notes, on which her TV comments were based.
- What’s your main message to parents who are worried about the impact of these exam bungles?
Parents Victoria is always mindful about making constructive contribution to this media topics in order not further fuel alarm or distress for the students and their families.
- How is the process going to work for student assessments?
There is no way of actually knowing how many students utilised the leaked potential Qs/case studies in any of the subject exams impacted and how many it was shared with.
It’s important that all communications prior to the release of 2024 VCE results assures students and their parents the measures that have been put in place will provide an accurate assessment in the end. Which we understand to be the ultimate objective.
- It’ll be an anxious wait for scores on December 12, and then university offers from the 23rd. Can you understand why parents are so worried that their kids might miss out?
It’s important not to inflame the situation, students and their parents are/will be already heightened/anxious about all this, so it’s important that people believe that everything that could be done, was done to sort the situation.
As always, its crucial for parents to reassure the students that if they’ve prepared and worked hard to do their best, the outcome will be reflected in the end result.
An important reminder for students and families to remember, is that in the world today there are many pathways to further education, training and employment. We encourage everyone not to be jaded if the result does not meet immediate student or parent expectations.
- It all comes to a head over the Christmas period, a time when a lot of department bosses might normally go on holiday. What’s your hope for that time so that parents aren’t left hanging?
As I said, effective and timely communications will be key prior to the release of VCE results and tertiary offers. No one will want to be intentionally delaying the results or offers but acknowledge those who are charged with the process will be doing there best to prevent a delay where possible. I recall many years ago, waiting on these results in January!
