Using a Clarifier to support deaf and hard of hearing students in VCE assessments

In Victoria, deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students have access to a range of special provisions to support equitable access to learning and assessments. The use of a clarifier is one provision that can be applied for to support DHH students in VCE assessments. The function of a clarifier is to clarify words contained within examination and test questions. Clarifying may be presented orally or in Auslan, depending on the student’s mode of communication.

This two part presentation is a recording of a live webinar series hosted by VDEI and AATD Victoria (Australian Association of Teachers of the Deaf) in May 2021. The webinars were presented by Nicola Rowling, Visiting Teacher with the Department of Education, Victoria. 

Presentation one:  Using a clarifier to support deaf and hard of hearing students in VCE assessments 

This 25-minute presentation is aimed at schools and educators who are looking to understand the role of a clarifier as a special provision for VCE assessments. The presentation provides an overview of special provisions for DHH students, in particular the role of a clarifier in enabling equitable access to VCE assessments for DHH students.

The presentation examines some of the challenges faced by DHH students in their learning and discusses why the use of a clarifier is important. The presentation also outlines the eligibility requirements for accessing special provisions and the responsibilities of schools in requesting that special provisions are provided for their students.

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Presentation two: Training for clarifiers 

This 60-minute presentation offers introductory training for Teachers of the Deaf who wish to consider taking on the role of a clarifier.

The presentation discusses the responsibilities and rules associated with being a clarifier and refers to key practices and examples from previous assessments and exams to support the professional development of educators wishing to act as a clarifer in VCE assessments.

While the content in presentation two is targeted towards Teachers of the Deaf, anyone interested in taking a more detailed look at the practices associated with the role of the clarifier as a special provision, are encouraged to utilise this recording.

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In presentation one participants will:

• Learn about assessment and special provisions for deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students, in particular the role of the clarifer.
• Discuss some of the challenges faced by DHH students in their learning to help participants understand the purpose of a clarifier in supporting students in VCE assessments 
• Examine the role and responsibilities of the clarifier as a special provision for DHH students in VCE assessments 
• Learn about the eligibility requirements for DHH students to access special provisions.
• Explore the responsibilities of schools in requesting that special provisions are available for DHH students. 

In presentation two participants will:

• Receive introductory training to build knowledge and skills that will assist them in carrying out the role of a clarifier
• Learn about the responsibilities and rules associated with being a clarifier
• Examine practical examples to build new knowledge and skills

Nicola Rowling works as a Visiting Teacher in the north west region, as part of the Victorian Department of Education. Nicola has been a Teacher of the Deaf for 16 years during which time she has worked in both primary and secondary facilities and as a visiting teacher in Melbourne and the UK. Prior to becoming a Teacher of the Deaf, Nicola taught as a secondary maths and science teacher for 10 years in the UK and in Melbourne.

In her current role, Nicola works with students from prep to year 12. She has a special interest in special provisions for external exams which stemmed from similar work done in the UK as part of her role as secondary lead for her team. Recently, Nicola received the AATD Victoria Exemplary Practitioner of the Year award 2021 for her work on Special Provisions.