Mathematics Online Interview Fact Sheet
About the assessment tool
Brief description
The Mathematics Online Interview is an online tool for assessing the mathematical understanding
of students in the Early Years of Schooling. The Interview assesses students’ knowledge, skills and
strategies in relation to key ‘points of growth’ in the dimensions of Number, Measurement and
Space.
The Interview is targeted primarily at students from Foundation to Year 4.
What does the
assessment tell you
about the child?
What are the
components of the
tool?
What is the style of
assessment?
What are the
limitations of the
tool?
Are there FAQs about
the assessment?
Teachers record student responses directly into the online system which can generate a range of
profiles of student understanding organised around the ‘points of growth’. These profiles provide
powerful information for teacher planning to meet student learning needs.
The Mathematics Online Interview provides detailed information for diagnostic or assessment
purposes on student understanding and strategies in the areas of Number, Measurement and
Space.
The Interview consists of 64 questions (including 4 questions in a Prep detour). Questions can
contain multiple parts. The Interview adapts to the level of the student by moving to different
questions depending on the student response.
The Mathematics Online Interview takes the form of a one-to-one interview between a teacher and
student where the teacher enters the responses directly online. The assessment takes from 30-40
minutes.
Reports (Profiles) generated from the Interview are not calibrated to the Australian Curriculum.
Student achievement reports can only be generated for individual students and not at a group,
class or school level.
Many of the questions asked about Mathematics Online are similar to those asked for Fractions
and Decimals Online and are technical in nature. A Frequently Asked Questions document exists for
the Fractions and Decimals Interview. Teachers are advised to use and interpret the FAQ for
Fractions and Decimals Online in the context of Mathematics Online.
Background to the assessment tool
How was the
assessment tool
developed?
How long has the
tool been used?
Relevant research
underpinning tool
Validation process
and data for the tool
The Online Interview evolved from the original paper based assessment tool developed from the
ENRP which was later developed into a CD. As more schools began to use the CD, the need was
seen for data to be collected centrally. ITD was engaged to develop the Online Tool.
The Mathematics Online Interview has been used by government schools since 2007.
The Interview arose from the Early Numeracy Research Project (ENRP) commissioned by the
Department and conducted form 1999-2001.
The interview was used on 34 398 occasions with P‐2 children during the Early Numeracy Research
Project (ENRP), with 11 421 children being interviewed at least once. Over three years, 354
teachers participated in the ENRP trial schools, with 115 participating for the full three years, 85 for
two of the three years, and 154 for one year only.
Further support
Link to the
assessment tool
User guide
Help desk
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/MathematicsOnline
http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/teachlearn/student/mathscontinuum/interviewu
serguide.pdf
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/teachingresources/discipline/maths/continuum
/Pages/mathsinterview.aspx