Implementation of a common assessment task or own

Implementation of a common assessment task or own set task: A balancing act? SAAEA 2018 Umalusi Ms Nomaswazi Shabalala/Christiaan Geel

Outline of the presentation • Quality Assurance of Assessment-School Qualifications Unit (QAA-SQ)-Schools sub-unit processes • Introduction of study-Governance of education • Problem Statement • Research purpose and question • Theoretical framing • Methodology • Findings • Discussion of findings • Conclusion

QAA-SQ: Schools Sub-unit Processes: Moderation of exam papers Moderation of school based /internal assessment Monitoring the conduct of examinations Verification of marking Standardization of assessment outcomes

Introduction of the current study - School based assessment (SBA) is a component of the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) which counts for 25% of the final NSC subject mark for subjects without a Practical Assessment Task (PAT) 50% for subjects with PAT; 100% for Life Orientation administered by schools. Ideally the SBA is set at school level Umalusi conduct SBA moderation in all 9 provinces Umalusi moderators noted that most schools are administering tasks that are commonly set at provincial/district level

SA Map and Provinces

Governance of education THE PRESIDENCY Department of Basic Education(DBE) 9 Provincial Education Departments(PEDs) Districts Circuits Schools

Problem statement Common SBA tasks administered are mostly of good quality Such tasks are set mostly by subject advisers ‘in provinces/districts. The practice is deemed good because it maintains standards across districts and provinces. However, the downside to this is that less subject teachers in schools are involved or exposed to this practice and are finding it difficult to set own quality tasks, in some cases, because they rely so much on these tasks.

Research purpose and question The purpose of this research is to investigate if teachers prefer to administer commonly set assessment tasks or own tasks. How to strike a balance between a common assessment tasks and own tasks?

Literature Review Assessment tasks set by a teacher for a particular group of learners can be better contextualized than can tasks set for a national pool of learners (Cohen, 2009). A key component of successful school-based assessment is teacher expertise (Maxwell, 2006). School-based assessment is important and should be carried out by teachers. (Singh, 2002).

Theoretical framing The study is grounded in constructivism theory Knowledge is always constructed and negotiated (Larochelle, Bednarz & Garris, 1998). Ideas are constructed based on past or current knowledge. Encourages greater participation (Brandon & Anita, 2010). Challenges centralisation of knowledge, thus, affirming that there are multiple realities.

Methodology Survey conducted in two Provinces: Kwa Zulu Natal and Gauteng Semi- structured and structured questions Survey done through emailing(Hesse-Biber, 2016; Merriam, 2002 found this to be convenient) Convenience sampling- questionnaire sent to 40 high school teachers: rural, semi urban & urban 30 responded Sample size too small for generalisation – the study will be extended further

Findings N % 26 -30 6 20% 31 -35 3 10% 36 -40 1 3% 41 -45 3 10% 46 -50 6 20% 51 -55 6 20% 56 -60 4 13% 61+ 1 3% Total 30 100 T 113/o 31133

Findings Current % of teachers administering common SBA tasks geographically • All teachers from rural and semi-urban areas indicated that they administer commonly set tasks • 75% urban schools administer common SBA tasks • 25% of urban teachers reported that they administer own tasks

Findings 92% Gauteng teachers – prefers to conduct own tasks 8% prefers common tasks 65% of Kwa Zulu Natal teachers prefers common SBA tasks 29% prefers own tasks 6% who prefers both.

Findings Gauteng Reasons given by 92% from GP preferring own. tasks: • to develop the skill of setting quality tasks that are of high standard • Will be able to focus on weaker learners to prioritise support • Some respondents just indicated “Own Tasks “ without giving reasons • Head

Findings Kwa. Zulu Natal Reasons given by 65% from KZN preferring common. tasks: • assist teachers to adhere to content coverage • prepares learners for the final examinations • Identification of problematic areas and prioritise them. • saves time, teachers can concentrate on teaching. • promote critical thinking and covers all cognitive levels.

Findings Kwa. Zulu Natal Current trend: • teachers-provided with. subject disks(tasks & MG) at the beginning of the year. • subject advisers form SBA tasks development teams in province/districts. • teachers are not aware who is setting the tasks.

Discussion of findings Teachers ensures that the common SBA tasks are written under strict supervision and marked properly. Most teachers commented to have not been involved in setting tasks for a long time. Although teachers agree that the common SBA tasks are of good quality and maintains standards across provinces and districts, some participants still prefer to be involved in setting their own tasks.

Conclusion Constructivists purports that teachers must be encouraged to be active constructors of their own test items. Teachers must be encouraged to share various perspectives with their community of practice to lessen their anxiety and improve the quality of SBA tasks. The department as the facilitator and the teachers should engage in active dialogue, with the former recognising the potential in teachers They must be allowed to make decisions, rather than mainly using tests provided by the authorities for School-based assessment Expertise in question paper development can only be developed through active participation

Conclusions Teachers to be encouraged to set cluster tasks, which will be moderated at District /Provincial level, to maintain standard

Questions?

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