Secondary School External Examination Systems

Secondary School External Examination Systems PDF Author: Barend Vlaardingerbroek
Publisher: Cambria Press
ISBN: 1604976004
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 382

Get Book Here

Book Description
Summative assessment has been a contentious issue in educational circles for several decades, particularly high-stakes assessment events which arise at various junctures of the school cycle, especially those at the end of it. The French Baccalaureat and English A-Levels and their numerous clones throughout the francophone and anglophone worlds are household names and represent milestone events in people's lives, as their outcomes are principal determinants of young people's future prospects. These examinations are external--they are devised, conducted and processed by agencies outside the schools, usually ministerial examination units. As such, they act as 'blind' arbiters of student achievement, providing the proverbial 'level playing field' which ensures the comparability of outcomes. In the pyramidal school structures of yesteryear, examinations acted as filters, regulating the progression of pupils to subsequent tiers of formal education. Exit points occurred from primary school level up, from where unsuccessful candidates could enter the labour force and/or embark on occupationally specific further education and training. With the modernisation of the labour market and an ever-higher social demand for access to higher levels of formal education, the filtering function of examinations at lower levels of schooling has been gradually eroded, while burgeoning numbers of students at the upper secondary level have brought about reforms that include curricular diversification and sometimes radical overhauls of terminating assessment systems (including the modification and, in some instances, abandonment of external examinations). This edited volume brings together the experiences of twenty examination systems from around the world to show how these dynamic entities have adapted over time to the changing context of schooling. Following an introduction by Stephen P. Heyneman of World Bank repute, there are sixteen chapters presenting Country Case Studies, which have been written up under common subheadings, thereby highlighting the comparative nature of the work and facilitating cross-referencing. The subsequent four chapters elaborate on the theme of 'external examinations beyond national borders', including a contribution by the International Baccalaureate Organisation. A defining feature of the work is the attention it pays to what it calls the 'nuts and bolts' of external examinations, from question-setting to grading procedures. These are, it is argued, instrumental in nurturing and maintaining public confidence in external examinations. The book will be of immense value to people involved in educational policy studies, especially strategic educational planning, as well as those directly concerned with formal assessment. The work has been written to appeal to a wide audience of informed persons--it is accessible to teachers and interested laypeople, as well as to academics."

Secondary School External Examination Systems

Secondary School External Examination Systems PDF Author: Barend Vlaardingerbroek
Publisher: Cambria Press
ISBN: 1604976004
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 382

Get Book Here

Book Description
Summative assessment has been a contentious issue in educational circles for several decades, particularly high-stakes assessment events which arise at various junctures of the school cycle, especially those at the end of it. The French Baccalaureat and English A-Levels and their numerous clones throughout the francophone and anglophone worlds are household names and represent milestone events in people's lives, as their outcomes are principal determinants of young people's future prospects. These examinations are external--they are devised, conducted and processed by agencies outside the schools, usually ministerial examination units. As such, they act as 'blind' arbiters of student achievement, providing the proverbial 'level playing field' which ensures the comparability of outcomes. In the pyramidal school structures of yesteryear, examinations acted as filters, regulating the progression of pupils to subsequent tiers of formal education. Exit points occurred from primary school level up, from where unsuccessful candidates could enter the labour force and/or embark on occupationally specific further education and training. With the modernisation of the labour market and an ever-higher social demand for access to higher levels of formal education, the filtering function of examinations at lower levels of schooling has been gradually eroded, while burgeoning numbers of students at the upper secondary level have brought about reforms that include curricular diversification and sometimes radical overhauls of terminating assessment systems (including the modification and, in some instances, abandonment of external examinations). This edited volume brings together the experiences of twenty examination systems from around the world to show how these dynamic entities have adapted over time to the changing context of schooling. Following an introduction by Stephen P. Heyneman of World Bank repute, there are sixteen chapters presenting Country Case Studies, which have been written up under common subheadings, thereby highlighting the comparative nature of the work and facilitating cross-referencing. The subsequent four chapters elaborate on the theme of 'external examinations beyond national borders', including a contribution by the International Baccalaureate Organisation. A defining feature of the work is the attention it pays to what it calls the 'nuts and bolts' of external examinations, from question-setting to grading procedures. These are, it is argued, instrumental in nurturing and maintaining public confidence in external examinations. The book will be of immense value to people involved in educational policy studies, especially strategic educational planning, as well as those directly concerned with formal assessment. The work has been written to appeal to a wide audience of informed persons--it is accessible to teachers and interested laypeople, as well as to academics."

Secondary School Examinations

Secondary School Examinations PDF Author: George J. Bruce
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 148315100X
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 161

Get Book Here

Book Description
Secondary School Examinations: Facts and Commentary presents the importance and development of the secondary school examinations. This book explains the pass/fail concept of the General Certificate Education (G.C.E.) wherein the candidates would be classified as either passing or failing with no sub-divisions within these two categories. Organized into eight chapters, this book begins with an overview of the underlying principles of the G.C.E. examination for teachers, students, and parents. This text then examines the development of Schools Council for Curriculum and Examinations, which signaled a fresh approach by the central authority to the problem of comparing standards by means of calibration tests. Other chapters consider the method of appointing small sub-committees to work on a syllabus whereby the subject advisory panels take care to guarantee a preponderance of teachers, not forgetting to ensure that boys' as well as girls' schools are represented. This book is a valuable resource for teachers, students, and parents.

Exam Schools

Exam Schools PDF Author: Chester E. Finn, Jr.
Publisher: Princeton University Press
ISBN: 1400844576
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 264

Get Book Here

Book Description
An in-depth look at academically selective public high schools in America What is the best education for exceptionally able and high-achieving youngsters? Can the United States strengthen its future intellectual leadership, economic vitality, and scientific prowess without sacrificing equal opportunity? There are no easy answers but, as Chester Finn and Jessica Hockett show, for more than 100,000 students each year, the solution is to enroll in an academically selective public high school. Exam Schools is the first-ever close-up look at this small, sometimes controversial, yet crucial segment of American public education. This groundbreaking book discusses how these schools work--and their critical role in nurturing the country's brightest students. The 165 schools identified by Finn and Hockett are located in thirty states, plus the District of Columbia. While some are world renowned, such as Boston Latin and Bronx Science, others are known only in their own communities. The authors survey the schools on issues ranging from admissions and student diversity to teacher selection. They probe sources of political support, curriculum, instructional styles, educational effectiveness, and institutional autonomy. Some of their findings are surprising: Los Angeles, for example, has no "exam schools" while New York City has dozens. Asian-American students are overrepresented—but so are African-American pupils. Culminating with in-depth profiles of eleven exam schools and thoughtful reflection on policy implications, Finn and Hockett ultimately consider whether the country would be better off with more such schools. At a time of keen attention to the faltering education system, Exam Schools sheds positive light on a group of schools that could well provide a transformative roadmap for many of America's children.

America 2000

America 2000 PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Education and state
Languages : en
Pages : 44

Get Book Here

Book Description


Testing in American Schools

Testing in American Schools PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Educational tests and measurements
Languages : en
Pages : 56

Get Book Here

Book Description


Assessment and Examination in the Secondary School

Assessment and Examination in the Secondary School PDF Author: Susan Butterfield
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134969813
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 248

Get Book Here

Book Description
This book explores current trends in assessment, with particular reference to secondary schools as well as providing a background to theory and practice relevant to both new and established teachers.

Beyond Standardized Testing

Beyond Standardized Testing PDF Author: Douglas A. Archbald
Publisher: National Association of Secondary School Principals(NASSP)
ISBN:
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 80

Get Book Here

Book Description


A survey of examination: malpractice among secondary school students - Causes, effects and solutions

A survey of examination: malpractice among secondary school students - Causes, effects and solutions PDF Author: Blessing Adegoke
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
ISBN: 3656011109
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 55

Get Book Here

Book Description
Scientific Study from the year 2010 in the subject Pedagogy - Job Education, Further Education, grade: 1.0, Bowen University, language: English, abstract: This research was carried out to investigate examination malpractice among secondary school students in Mushin Local Government area in Lagos State. The project highlights the causes of examination malpractice among secondary school students, the effect of examination malpractice and solution to examination malpractice in secondary schools. In this research work, a sample of twenty (20) teachers and one hundred (100) students were collected by means of simple random sampling techniques from five secondary schools in Mushin Local Government. The research instrument used for the study was the teacher’s and student’s perception questionnaire which was validated by the supervisor and used for the collection of data from the respondents. The data collected from respondents were analyzed with distribution tables and simple percentage. At the end of the analysis the study revealed the major reasons for examination malpractice which include parental pressure for good grades, value attached to certificate and so on. The study further recommend that parent should not put pressure on their children for good grades. Also emphasis should not be lay on certificates.

The Economics of Education

The Economics of Education PDF Author: Steve Bradley
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0081026455
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 604

Get Book Here

Book Description
The Economics of Education: A Comprehensive Overview, Second Edition, offers a comprehensive and current overview of the field of that is broadly accessible economists, researchers and students. This new edition revises the original 50 authoritative articles and adds Developed (US and European) and Developing Country perspectives, reflecting the differences in institutional structures that help to shape teacher labor markets and the effect of competition on student outcomes. - Provides international perspectives that describe the origins of key subjects, their major issues and proponents, their landmark studies, and opportunities for future research - Increases developing county perspectives and comparisons of cross-country institutions - Requires no prior knowledge of the economics of education

The Power of Tests

The Power of Tests PDF Author: Elana Shohamy
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317875486
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 209

Get Book Here

Book Description
Language in Social Life is a major series which highlights the importance of language to an understanding of issues of social and professional concern. It will be of practical relevance to all those wanting to understand how the ways we communicate both influence and are influenced by the structures and forces of contemporary social institutions. In all modern societies individuals are subject to tests, whether to enter educational programs, to pass from one level to the next or to grant certificates to practice. Yet, tests are powerful tools which are often introduced in undemocratic and unethical ways as disciplinary tools for carrying out various policy agendas. Tests can be detrimental to people's lives as they are capable of affecting and defining the knowledge and behaviour of those who are being tested. The Power of Tests applies a critical perspective of language tests by examining their uses and consequences in education and society and by viewing tests not as isolated events but rather as embedded in social, educational and political contexts. The book is divided into four parts: the first part establishes the power of tests through echoing the voices of test takers, describing the features of the power of tests, and the temptations that tests offer to bureaucrats who use them for power and control. The second part reports on studies that provide empirical evidence about intentions and effects of a number of large scale language tests. The third part interprets the results by examining their consequences on education and society, arriving at a model of tests' use. The final section of the book offers strategies for controlling and minimising the misuses of tests by introducing the notion of Critical Language Testing which calls for the examination of the consequences and misuses of tests, monitoring of power and pointing to their unethical uses. It also provides a comprehensive discussion of the responsibilities of language testers, including a new Code of Ethics, as well as strategies for guarding and protecting the rights of test takers.