International Approaches to Exams Given the Pandemic
IAEA invites members and non members to share information about how they are handling their school-leaving or university entrance exams as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
News
Comparability of Large- Scale Educational Assessments: Issues and Recommendations.
Title: Comparability Of Large-Scale Educational Assessments: Issues And Recommendations Author: Berman, A. I., Haertel, E. H., & Pellegrino, J. W. (Eds.). Publisher: National Academy of Education Release Date: 2020 Format: Public Access, Digital Object Identifier: 10.31094/2020/1 Pages: 237 Source: https://naeducation.org/comparability/ This National Academy of Education (NAEd) volume provides guidance to key stakeholders on how to accurately report and interpret comparability assertions concerning large-scale educational assessments as well as how to ensure greater comparability by paying close attention to key aspects of assessment design, content, and procedures. The goal of the volume is to provide guidance to relevant state-level educational…
The beginning of the end of our obsession with standardized tests
America has been obsessed with student standardized tests for nearly 20 years. Now it looks like the country is at the beginning of the end of our high-stakes testing mania — both for K-12 “accountability” purposes and in college admissions. Source: The Washington Post
Without English testing, study abroad cannot resume
On 26 May, for the fifth consecutive month, the Chinese National Education Examinations Authority and the British Council announced the cancellation of IELTS tests scheduled for June. Prospective international students frequent the IELTS website to snatch bookings only to be advised of yet another cancellation.IELTS is not alone. Between February and May, international English proficiency tests such as TOEFL, GRE, PTE and GMAT were all suspended in mainland China in the ongoing battle against the spread of COVID-19. Source: Universityworldnews.com
Exams are fundamentally flawed – let’s try something new
Increasing numbers of qualifications are offered in a format that would be familiar to anyone who has participated in organisations such as Scouts, Guides or Boys’ Brigade: badges. These are awarded to participants who can demonstrate that they have met criteria clearly defined by the overseeing body – an approach that has been adapted and developed since 2011 by the Mozilla Foundation Open Badges platform. Source: Times Educational Supplement
Next year’s school exams in Scotland may be scrapped due to Covid-19 pandemic
Education Secretary John Swinney is unable to rule out next year’s school exams being cancelled due to Covid-19 but he confirmed pupils going back in a blended learning model on August 11 is “set in stone”. Source: HeraldScotland
New Zealand: NCEA exams delayed after school closures
Education Minister Chris Hipkins has announced that the start of National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) exams will be postponed from November 6 to November 16.The last exam will now be on December 9 instead of December 2. Source: NZ Herald
Equitable Exams During COVID-19
Changes instructors should consider in administering and grading exams during COVID-19. Pamela Chui Kadakia and Allan A. Bradshaw offer some approaches to consider in light of the sudden changes this spring as instructors begin to design, administer and score final assessments. Source: Insidehighered.com
Hong Kong exams body to develop alternative student grading system for crises
Exam authorities will carry out citywide research to develop an alternative student grading system in the event university entrance tests are cancelled because of future pandemics, Hong Kong’s education minister told the Post on Thursday. Source: South China Morning Post