Unravelling the mystery

Press, 28 January 1988, Page 33

Unravelling the mystery

With 1987 School Certificate examination results now mailed out, parents and potential employers are probably still struggling to come to terms with a foreign beast called internal assessment, according to the Department of Education.

While students understand and value this method of measuring their progress, parents and employers, brought up in a generation when you either passed or failed a single end of year examination, are doubtful of the validity of a system that has spawned its share of modern myths. Possibly the facts can best be seen by a direct comparison of the “old” School Certificate and the “new,” and with an attempt to answer some fears of parents and employers.

Old: Four or five subjects. New: Up to six subjects. Old: Test by single written examinations. New: Examination and full or partial assessment. Old: Pass with aggregate 200 marks in four subjects (average 50 per cent). New: Subject by subject grades (1-7) awarded. Old: Examination to be passed at one attempt; i.e. in single year. New: Subjects can be attempted individually. The “old” School Certi-

ficate was a big hurdle in each student’s life. Success was a passport to further study or a job, employers using it as a major yardstick of worth. It was all or nothing.

That meant half the student population was labelled education failures at secondary school. The examination system also meant a year’s work and study was somehow judged in a three hour written examination. It took little account, for example, of the student who could perform the necessary practical tasks.

School Certificate was also unique in the education system in relying on a single series of examinations to judge a student’s knowledge and capabilities. University students are graded throughout the year on assignments produced as well as examinations.

The "new” School Certificate more closely mirrors methods of assessment in other areas of the education system. In the 1987 School Certificate results one in five were based on partial or full internal assessment. In 1988 it is expected to be about one in four.

The problem with internal assessment is that many people see it as somehow less worthy than an examination result, a soft option for teachers

and students. Even the name internal assessment can be misconstrued. Some have suggested “school-based assessment” or “nationally moderated assessment.” By whatever name it goes, research suggests internal assessment is anything but a soft option or an easy way out for either students or teachers. Both need to work steadily and consistently throughout the year on assignments and practical studies, during all of which the student’s progress is evaluated.

That progress can also be measured more accurately by devising tests that can suit exactly the skills and/or knowledge required. An objection of those who are uneasy about internal assessment is that different schools will award high School Certificate grades more easily than others.

The reality is the Department of Education has introduced stringent national moderation systems to ensure that does not happen. Taking English as a subject example, in 1987

58 schools elected to enter students for internal assessment, while in 1988 the number is expected to be 70. Students in these schools sit a “reference test” in June which gives a picture of each school’s language abilities. That profile sets the pattern of the English marks each school can award and maintains standards between schools.

Some subjects are partially internally assessed. Final grades are a combination of end-of-year examinations results and internal assessment.

The system of planning and moderating testing of student abilities falls to the qualifications and assessment division of the department.

Director Lyall Perris believes internal assessment is a better form of assessment because it can test skills written examinations alone cannot.

“This system has been set up to give all students a fair deal. It gives a fuller picture of a student’s abilities than the old School Certificate ever did,” Mr Perris said.