Acronyms and Jargon
We know that education and government is an area that has a lot of buzzwords. If you were to list all of them, they would probably fill an entire dictionary!
To combat education-related jargon and acronyms, this web page provides plain language definitions for the words featured.
See:
Acronyms and abbreviations
This list of acronyms and abbreviations may assist as a quick reference guide to understanding terms and programs used in DEECD portfolio websites, publications, etc.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A
AAB - Apprenticeship Administration Branch
AAV - Aboriginal Affairs Victoria
ABSTUDY - Aboriginal Study Assistance Scheme
ACE - Adult Community Education
ACFE - Adult, Community and Further Education
ACFEB - Adult Community and Further Education Board
ACOSS - Australian Council of Social Service
ACTU - Australian Council of Trade Unions
AESOC - Australian Education Systems Officials Committee
AEU - Australian Education Union
AGM - Assistant General Manager
AGQTP Australian Government Quality Teacher Program
AIG - Australian Industry Group
AIM - Achievement Improvement Monitor
AMES - Adult Multicultural Education Services
ANTA - Australian National Training Authority
AP - Assistant Principal
AQF - Australian Qualifications Framework
AQTF - Australian Quality Training Framework
ARC - Australian Research Council
ATSIC - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
ATTP - Apprenticeship Traineeship Training Program
AUSTUDY - A means tested allowance for students 16 years and over
B
BAS - Business Activity Statement
C
CAE - Centre for Adult Education
CASES - Computerised Administrative System Environment in Schools
CAT(s) - Common Assessment Task(s) (in VCE)
CATs - Career and Transitions pilot programs
CBE - Community Business Employment
CCAFL - Collaborative Curriculum and Assessment Framework for Languages
CDSM(s) - Course Development Support Material(s)
CEAV - Careers Education Association of Victoria
CIS - Community Information Service
CJP - Community Jobs Program
CMM - Curriculum Maintenance Manager
CMYI - Centre for Multicultural Youth Issues
CRT - Casual Replacement Teacher
CSF - Curriculum and Standards Framework
D
DECV - Distance Education Centre Victoria
DEST - Department of Education Science and Training (Commonwealth)
DEWR - Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (Commonwealth)
DHS - Department of Human Services (Victoria)
DIIRD - Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (Victoria)
DE&T - Department of Education and Training (Victoria) [former name for Department of Education, Victoria]
DEECD - Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Victoria
DoE - Department of Education [former name for Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Victoria]
DOI - Department of Infrastructure (Victoria)
DOJ - Department of Justice (Victoria)
DVC - Department for Victorian Communities
ECEF - Enterprise and Career Education Foundation
EdNA - Education Network Australia
Edumail - DoE’s electronic mail service
EEO - Equal Employment Opportunity
EFT - Equivalent Full Time
ELC - English Language Centre
ELS - English Language School
EMA - Education Maintenance Allowance
EMS - Emergency Management Service
EO - Equal Opportunity
ESL - English as a Second Language
EY - Early Years
FaCS - Department of Family and Community Services (Commonwealth)
FBT - Fringe Benefits Tax
FS - Flagship Strategy
FFPOS - Full Fee Paying Overseas Student
FLAG - Flexible Learning Advisory Group
FOI - Freedom of Information
FReeZA - Underage Entertainment Program
FSD - Financial Services Division
FTE - full-time equivalent
GAT - General Achievement Tests (in VCE)
GFTP - Government Funded Training Program
GM - General Manager
GST - Goods and Services Tax
HDA - Higher Duties Allowance
HECS - Higher Education Contribution Scheme
HEI - Higher Education Institution
HRD - Human Resources Division
HRMS - Human Resource Management System
ICT - Information and Communication Technology
ISE - In-service Education
ISLN - Interactive Satellite Learning Network
IT - Information Technology
ITAB - Industry Training Advisory Body
ITABs - Industry Training Advisory Boards
ITB - Industry Training Board
ITD - Information Technology Division
JAC - Job and Course Explorer
JPET - Job Placement, Employment and Training
JPP - Jobs Pathways Program
JTC - Joining the Chorus - program supporting performing arts in Victorian government schools
K - 12 - Kindergarten through to Year 12
KEDU - Koori Education Development Unit
KLA - Key Learning Area
KLAC - Key Learning Area Committee (VCAA)
LLEN - Local Learning and Employment Network
LMERC - Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre
LOTE - Language other than English
LSL - Long Service Leave
LT - Leading Teacher
MACLEM - Ministerial Advisory Council on LOTE, ESL and Multicultural Education
MCEETYA - Ministerial Council of Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs
MEA - Multicultural Education Aide
MESB - Ministerial and Executive Support Branch
MINCO - Ministerial Council for Vocational Education and Training
MIPs - Managed Individual Pathways
MOU - Memorandum of Understanding
MPB - Merit Protection Board
MY - Middle Years
MYPRAD - Middle Years Pedagogy Research and Development
NACs - New Apprenticeships Centre
NAIDOC - National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee
NAPSL - National Assessment Program Science Literacy
NCVER - National Centre for Vocational Education Research
NTIS - National Training Information Service
OH&S - Occupational Health and Safety
OLT - Office of Learning and Teaching
ORMS - Office of Resource Management and Strategy
OSE - Office of School Education
OSR - Office of Strategy and Review
OTTE - Office of Training and Tertiary Education
P-12 - School years Prep to 12
PD - professional development
PEC - Performance Enhancement Cycle
PETP - Priority Education and Training Program
PISA - Program for International Student Assessment
POEMs - Partnership Outreach Education Model Pilots
PoLT - Principles of Learning and Teaching
PP - Post Primary
PRMS - Physical Resources Management System
PRP - Professional Recognition Program
PS - Primary School
PSD - Program for Students with Disabilities
RPL - Recognition of Prior Learning
RSB - Registered Schools Board
RTO - Registered Training Organisation
RYC - Regional Youth Committee
SAMS - School Asset Management System
SBNA - School Based New Apprenticeships
SC - Secondary College
SCH - Student Contact Hour
SDS - Special Development School
SEO - Senior Education Officer
SFYS - School Focussed Youth Service
SGL - Superannuation Guarantee Contribution Levy
SIAR - School Initial Assessment Return
SOSE - Studies of Society and the Environment
SRP - Student Resource Package
SSO - School Services Officer
SSOs - Student Support Officers
SSSO - Student Support Services Officer
STEPS - Science and Technology Education in Primary Schools
STS - State Training System
SWC - Student Welfare Coordinator
TA - Teacher Aide
TAFE - Technical and Further Education
TIMSS - Trials in International Mathematics and Science Study
TPL - Teacher Professional Leave
TRIP - Teacher Release to Industry Program
TSSP - Technical Support to Schools Program
UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation
VAEAI - Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated
VCAA - Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority
VCAL - Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning
VCE - Victorian Certificate of Education
VCOSS - Victorian Council of Social Service
VECCI - Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Industry
VELS - Victorian Essential Learning Standards
VET - Vocational Education and Training
VETiS - Vocational Education and Training in Schools
VIT - Victorian Institute of Teaching
VLESC - Victorian Learning and Employment Skills Commission
VOCED - A database managed by NCVER on Education & Training Research
VOMA - Victorian Office of Multicultural Affairs
VPRC - Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge
VPS - Victorian Public Service
VPSN - Victorian Public Service Notices
VPSSA - Victorian Primary School Sports Association
VQA - Victoria Qualifications Authority
VSIC - Victorian Schools Innovation Commission
VSL - Victorian School of Languages
VTA - Victorian TAFE Association
VTAC - Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre
VTHC - Victorian Trades Hall Council
VYDP - Victorian Youth Development Program
YACVic - Youth Affairs Council of Victoria
YES - Youth Employment Scheme
YPP - Youth Pathways Program
Jargon
AIM (Achievement Improvement Monitor) Tests
AIM stands for Achievement Improvement Monitor. You may not hear much about AIM unless your child is in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9 for it is in these years they will be asked to participate. The AIM tests English (reading, writing and spelling) and mathematics skills. The results of these tests can tell you how your child is going and where he or she could benefit from greater challenges or extra help.
EMA (Education Maintenance Allowance)
The EMA is provided to assist low-income family’s cover the costs of the essential educational items that all parents are required to pay for. If you have a child under 16 years of age and receive an eligible Centrelink benefit and a Health Care Card or pension card, you may be eligible for an EMA from the Victorian Government.
For more information about the Education Maintenance Allowance, see About School - Life at School - Financial Assistance.
ESL (English as a Second Language)
ESL stands for English as a Second Language. Students learning English as a Second Language are able to enrol in English Language Schools and Centres, or receive targeted support in their schools. This is available to students for their first 12 months in Australia. Funding is also provided to schools to offer ESL programs for students learning English as a second language.
Middle Years
The middle years of schooling covers Years 5 to 9, and includes the time when primary students are moving to secondary school. Government schools have special middle years programs in place to ensure your child remains challenged and engaged in learning during these years.
On Track survey
The On Track survey is a telephone survey used as a way of identifying and tracking student’s post-school study and/or employment destinations.
The information gathered is used to ensure that Year 10 to 12 government school students are on a pathway to further education, training or employment.
Young people who are not studying or in full-time employment and request assistance when surveyed will have the chance to choose to be refereed by Local Learning and Employment Networks to relevant local agencies, which will provide the advice and services required.
School-Based Apprenticeships
In the past, many young people had to make the hard decision about whether to pursue an apprenticeship or traineeship and leave school, or to stay on and complete their secondary study. With the introduction of school-based new apprenticeships students can now have the best of both worlds, participating in paid employment part time while completing their school studies.
Available to students as part of the VCE or Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) school-based new apprenticeships assist students in making a successful transition from school to further training or education.
For more information, see: Victorian Cirriculum and Assessment Authority (http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au)
Team Teaching
Team teaching – where more than one teacher instructs a group of students at the same time – is especially popular in the middle years of schooling. As well as offering students variety, team teaching has a number of educational benefits. Importantly, it enables children to get a range of different perspectives on a topic, since teacher ‘teams’ usually comprise staff from different subject areas.
Transition
Transitions occur throughout people's lives. In the school context, it means the steps students take from pre-school to primary school, then from primary school to secondary school and then from secondary school to training, further education or work. Victorian Government schools have strategies in place to ensure that these transitions go smoothly for both you and your child. Both Primary and Secondary schools hold open days, information sessions and orientation days. By attending these introductions to your child’s new school, you and your child will be familiar with your new surroundings in no time. You will also be able to ensure that your child gets off to the best start in their next step of their education journey.
VCAL (Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning)
The Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) is a senior secondary qualification that sits alongside the VCE. The VCAL is based on hands-on learning and is designed to give students ‘employability’ skills and the skills to go on to further training – either in the workplace or at TAFE. Students studying the VCAL undertake a work placement where they must learn specific skills. Students can also complete parts of nationally recognised pre-vocational courses as part of their VCAL certificate.
For more information on VCAL, see Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) (http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vcal)
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs are hands-on subjects that students can do from Year 10–12. If students take VET subjects in Year 11 or 12, they can use them to supplement their VCE qualification. This is called undertaking a ‘VET in the VCE’ program. There are currently over 30 VCE VET programs to choose from. Undertaking a VET in the VCE program can also give students a head start in post-school apprenticeships and training. Students who do a VCE VET program get their VCE as well as a nationally recognised training qualification.
For more information, see Vocational Education and Training (http://www.otte.vic.gov.au/vet.asp)
Voluntary Contributions
Schools may invite you to make voluntary financial contributions, to help pay for activities that are outside the school’s standard educational program. The contributions are not compulsory and you cannot be asked to make voluntary contributions as a condition of your child receiving access to the standard educational program offered by the school. Requests for voluntary contributions must be kept to a minimum, and the amount requested must not exceed the school community’s expectations. Schools must also tell you clearly how these contributions will be spent.
For more information on voluntary contributions, see About School - Life at School Voluntary Contributions & School Material Charges or phone the Education Line on 1800 809 834.
Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)
The Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) acts on behalf of participating universities, TAFE institutes and independent tertiary colleges. The VTAC coordinates applications that are received from course applicants and forwards them on to the chosen institutions. Once course authorities have made offers for course places, VTAC sends an offer letter to the applicant.
In addition, VTAC publishes various guides to tertiary study including the VTAC Guide. The Guide is published annually and features information on courses and an application form.
For more information, see Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) (http://www.vtac.edu.au)