What is the relationship between NAPLAN tests and the VELS?
NAPLAN test items are developed with reference to the national Statements of Learning, which were agreed to by Ministers of all Australian states and territories in August 2006. These statements reflect the core elements of the curriculum documents used in the different states and territories and, although the National Assessment Program scale is not explicitly linked to the curriculum continuum of any single jurisdiction, all NAPLAN test items are consistent with the learning progression described in the VELS. When the final composition of the tests is established, the VCAA matches the test items to a VELS skill descriptor which is then published in the NAPLAN Reporting Guide. This Guide is provided to all schools and is also published on the VCAA website. Following are some NAPLAN 2008 tests items with their matching VELS skill descriptor. [D] VELS Skill descriptor: Carry out simple money calculations [D] VELS Skill descriptor: Uses a capital letter, commas and speech marks The VCAA
