The Numeracy skills foundation unit is designed at the VCAL Foundation certificate level. The unit contains five learning outcomes.
VCAL qualification and strand requirements
Refer to the following resources for information on VCAL qualification and strand requirements.
VCE and VCAL Administrative Handbook
VCAL Literacy and Numeracy Skills Strand Curriculum Planning Guide (docx - 161.2kb)
Curriculum
The curriculum for the Numeracy skills foundation unit is designed to develop student confidence and skills to perform simple and familiar numeracy tasks, and to be able to make sense of mathematics in their daily personal lives. The mathematics involved includes numbers and data, financial literacy, time and location, measurement and design, and the use of software tools and devices.
On completion of this unit, students will be able to perform everyday mathematical tasks that involve a single mathematical step or process. Students will be able to communicate mathematical ideas using highly familiar contexts in everyday language and mathematical notation.
Assessment
Assessment in the VCAL is designed to assess a student’s achievement of a learning outcome by collecting evidence about their performance, and making a judgment about whether they have met the requirements of that learning outcome. These requirements are clearly outlined in the elements of each learning outcome.
Students must be observed to demonstrate achievement on more than one occasion and in different contexts to make sure the assessment is consistent, reliable, fair and equitable.
Teachers should use a variety of learning activities and assessment tasks that provide a range of opportunities for students to demonstrate each learning outcome.
A range of evidence can be used to demonstrate that a student has achieved the learning outcomes. This includes, but is not limited to, direct observation, written work, oral presentations, object production and project implementation.
Suitable tasks for assessment can be found in the corresponding advice for teachers.
An assessment task used to demonstrate achievement of one or multiple learning outcomes in one VCAL unit cannot be used to demonstrate achievement in any other VCAL unit, VET unit of competency or VCE study.
Satisfactory completion
To be credited with the Numeracy skills foundation unit, students must demonstrate achievement in all five learning outcomes. Not all elements need to be met in the one assessment task. Elements for one learning outcome can be met in an assessment task individually or by being integrated with learning outcomes in other strands.
Accreditation period
Accreditation expires on 31 December 2022.
Support material
VCAL Literacy and Numeracy Skills Strand Curriculum Planning Guide
Curriculum Planning Guide-Numeracy Skills Units Only
VCAL Numeracy Skills Units Advice for Teachers
Numeracy Teacher Interviews