Information on Mathematics Education in Victorian Schools
Some points about the intent of these generic resources include:
 they place the learner at the centre
 there is strong emphasis on assessment for learning – i.e. identifying and valuing what
individual students know or don’t know in order to provide targeted support appropriate to their
needs
 they provide differentiated teaching strategies – ie. they support teachers to work with students
at different levels of development
The Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development produces research
based resources to support teachers to implement the Mathematics domain of the Victorian
Essential Learning Standards (VELS). The VELS, and the resources outlined below, are designed
to provide professional learning for teachers to enhance their delivery of effective mathematics
teaching and learning. A key feature of these resources is that they place the learner at the centre
of curriculum planning and delivery.
Mathematics Developmental Continuum P-10
Published on-line in 2006 the Continuum is aligned to the standards and progression points of the
Mathematics domain of the VELS. It is designed to assist all teachers to deepen their
understanding of the Mathematics domain; monitor individual student progress towards
achievement of the Mathematics Standards; enhance teaching skills to enable purposeful teaching;
identify the range of student learning levels within their Mathematics classes, and develop a shared
language to describe and discuss student progress. This resource is being progressively enriched
and added to over time as new research into mathematics teaching and learning becomes
available.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/studentlearning/teachingresources/maths/mathscontinuum/default.htm
Mathematics Online Interview
The on-line assessment interview supports student understanding of Levels 1-3 of the
Mathematics domain. It is a powerful tool for teachers of Prep to Year 4, but is also valuable for
any teacher who has students operating at Levels 1-3 of the VELS. The interview is used by
teachers in a one-on-one situation to determine a student’s existing mathematical knowledge in
relation to points of growth. Analysis of the student’s responses provides powerful information to
use when planning to meet this student’s learning needs. The interview was originally developed
as part of the Early Numeracy Research Project (1999-2001). To support schools to implement
the online interview, a suite of resources has been published online, including a comprehensive
teachers’ manual, links to the Mathematics Continuum and guided observation notes. To further
support teachers in planning learning for students a resource titled 'I have done the Interview, now
what …?' provides links from the assessment items to the most appropriate teaching strategies in
the Mathematics Continuum.
https://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/MathematicsOnline/
Learning and Assessment Framework for Multiplicative Thinking
This framework, for Levels 4 and 5 of the VELS, is based on the Scaffolding Numeracy in the
Middle Years project. It brings together in a hierarchy, the key ideas, strategies and
representations of multiplication and division needed to work flexibly and confidently with whole
numbers, fractions, decimals, and percentages across a wide range of contexts. Resource
materials are also included to assist in this process in the form of: Assessment Materials, Learning
Plans, Authentic Tasks and Professional Learning.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/studentlearning/teachingresources/maths/snmy/snmylaf.htm
Assessment for Common Misunderstandings in Mathematics
This research-based resource for Levels 1 to 6 of the VELS includes tasks and resources which
have been organised to address some ‘common misunderstandings’. Use of the tools will provide
teachers with a set of diagnostic tasks that expose critical aspects of student thinking in relation to
key aspects of Number. The tools also provide advice on targeted teaching responses to the
‘common misunderstandings’ and/or learning needs identified. This resource is useful in
addressing the needs of all learners but particularly those that fall behind.
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/studentlearning/teachingresources/maths/common/default.htm
Fractions and Decimals Online Interview
The Fractions and Decimals Online Interview, currently under development, will replicate the
successful template of the Mathematics Online Interview and will enhance and complement the
current application, with new content. This supplementary interview will broaden the audience for
the Mathematics Online Interview to include Levels 4 and 5 of the Mathematics Standards with
questions relating to fractions, decimals, percentages and ratio.