SHEFFIELD TESTS SCHOOL CHILDREN BY NOVEL METHOD

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6803, 5 January 1929, Page 6

SHEFFIELD TESTS SCHOOL CHILDREN BY NOVEL METHOD

Each Child’s Educability to be Scheduled by Teachers From School Records ~ LONDON. The Sheffield authority has inaugurated a scheme, after considering the views of the teachers in its service, for the seelctiun of children between 11 ajul 12 years of age, for various types of further education. The authority docs not consider that tho ordinary formal examination of the children of that age provides by itself sufficient indication of the varying capabilities and bents of the children. The scheme lays it down, therefore, that in respect of each child the type of his educability evidenced in the ordinary school work shall be scheduled by the head and class teachers from the school records. For the purpose of these records each child is to be submitted to a standardised intelligence test by the school staff. Where the records show serious discrepancy between the general attainments record of a child and the record of the standardised intelligence test a note is to be made by the teacher of any factors which are considered to be 'contributory causes of the discrepancy. For selecting children for places in the secondary schools, that is, tho schools in which academic studies are carried to their highest pitch, an examination is to be the main guide. But it is recognised that in. any such attainments competitive tests there may be a substantial number of border line cases, in which the decision as to the award may be difficult, and it is recommended that those responsible foi the award should, before making the award in such cases, consider the following: Tho rosult of tho standardised intelligence test; tho general school, record which has reference to the attainments and progress of the child; the reports of the headmaster or mistress and of the class teacher of the child, and the offect of adding to the marks earned by the candidate an allowance of onehalf of 1 per cent, for each complete month by whiqh his age falls short of 12 years. This scheme, it is expected, will lead

to a proper classification and sorting out of the children for the secondary schools of the ordinary type and for other post-primary schools, in accordance with their bent and abilities.