UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28657, 6 August 1958, Page 12

UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE

“Little Reason For Change”

(Netu Zealand Press Association) DUNEDIN, August 5,

There is little justification for any general change in the standard of university entrance qualifications or for reverting to an external examination for all candidates, according to the Parkyn report on university entrance policy. This nvas reported to the Senate of the University of New Zealand today by a committee set up to ascertain the report’s implication.

The report is being drawn up by Mr G. W. Parkyn, director of the Council for Educational Research. The committee said the findings of the report seemed to provide (1) No indication that the use of any objective tests of general scholastic aptitude at present available, would lead to better selection for entrance in general, or for admission to particular departments.

(2) No justification for placing further restrictions upon * the present range of subjects, or patterns of subjects, that may be studied in order to gain the general entrance qualification. (3) No justification for rigidly restricting entrants to those who have spent a year in the upper sixth form. But for students taking subjects that build directly upon a specific knowledge and skill, a specific upper sixth form year appeared to be desirable. On university work, according to the special committee, the report seemed to indicate (1) That ways should be sought for increasing the proportion of full-time students at least in their first year at university.

(2) That, freauently, causes of failure among full-time students appeared to be individual ones that varied from department to department and from student to student.

(3) That students without an upper sixth year should fee advised against part-time study in their first year, and needed special guidance in their selection of courses.

It was decided to refer the matter to councils of constituent universities and agricultural colleges, and to the Academic Board for consideration, and for these to renort to the next meeting of the Senate.