A GSAT alternative? JamaicaObserver.com
A GSAT alternative? – Careers & Education – JamaicaObserver.com.
THE Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) — which is expected to provide the foundation for a seamless transition to secondary level education while facilitating portability of qualifications across the region — is to be piloted in four Jamaican schools in September.
CPEA, whose administrators the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) describe as an assessment of the literacies required by all pupils exiting the primary school system, was fully rolled out in Grenada and Anguilla this academic year. It is also to be introduced to St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines as well as Dominica in the new school year. Under CPEA, the continuous assessment accounts for 40 per cent of the final score, while an exam makes up the other 60 per cent.
Cumberbatch said the educators in the chosen schools have already been trained in the use of the methodology, which he explained was a kind of school-based assessment in which students would, for example, have to produce several pieces of written work, each of which would be assessed by the teacher with corrections and improvements made by the student.
We are eager to explore all the options and alternatives to the current GSAT examination. Our Caribbean brothers and sisters might be a good resource for us. Lets hear more about this!
Learn MoreMore GSAT scholarship awardees this year
This is a beautiful manifestation of the hard work and solid effort from the Principals and Teachers, Parents and Students in the primary school system today!!! Congratulations to ALL 🙂
More GSAT scholarship awardees this year – Lead Stories – Jamaica Gleaner – Friday | July 13, 2012.
Learn MoreThe list of scholarship winners published by the Ministry of Education in yesterday’s daily newspapers revealed that seven of the 25 government scholars are from primary schools, compared to only one out of 24 last year. In total 50 of the 96 students who received scholarships are from public institutions which represents an increase compared with 21 of 65 students last year.According to Education Minister Ronald Thwaites, the result reflects a diversion from what has been the norm where a specific group of schools dominated the list. He said the mixture among the schools was welcomed by the Ministry of Education. “Quality education is to be found across the system and this is an indication of it,” Thwaites said. He said there has been an improvement at some schools as a result of their effort to improve the standards of the students. “There has been better preparation, all credit to the teachers and to the parents. What we need to do in our education system is to stress equity and quality,” he added.
Parental Support Critical to School Development
In a letter published in the Gleaner today, the critical role of parents is highlighted as one of the three MAIN factors in school development.
A school becomes competitive when it has an effective principal, disciplined students and good parental support. Check many of these non-traditional high schools and see if they have those three driving factors.
We wholeheartedly agree that parents cannot “sit back and rest once” their child begins secondary school studies. We support all efforts to equip and support parents in their continuing essential role in child development and school development.
Learn MoreAlso, too many parents are laid back. They don’t care about what goes on at their children’s school. It is time they demand that the school improves in the areas that keep the school rooted at the bottom of the academic rankings. After all, they are the main stakeholders in the school and need to use up their power.
Education officers in Jamaica: what do we know about them?
In an article published in the Gleaner today Education Minister of Jamaica has made an appeal and cast a challenge to the Education officers of Jamaica.
“It is unacceptable. Let us make it quite clear. It can’t go on like this. The role of the education officers has to change. They have to be held more accountable and this is why we are putting the emphasis on early-childhood education so that diagnosis can be done early,” said Thwaites.
Acting Permanent Secretary Grace McLean said while psychosocial analyses are detecting a number of problems with some of the children, the education officers will be given mandates to ensure improved performance.
Education officers in the cross hairs – Lead Stories – Jamaica Gleaner – Sunday | July 1, 2012.
What IS the current role of an education officer? What tools are available to help them serve the school children of Jamaica? Who do they report to and how? This calls for research on our part. We welcome your insight and comments.
Learn MoreGSAT and extra lessons
What is your experience with “at school” extra lessons for GSAT preparation? In this article published by the Gleaner…
Axe coming for extra lessons – Lead Stories – Jamaica Gleaner – Monday | June 25, 2012.
The Minister of Education says:
He added: “We know the financial struggle that many parents are already facing. … I have heard of cases where children in preparation for GSAT (Grade Six Achievement Test) have been going to extra classes for three years, so what we would like to know is what is going on in the ordinary classes. Why this is happening?” Thwaites stated. The education minister added that a review of the contact period between teachers and students is one of the measures his ministry will be looking to as a means of fixing the problem.
“We have to insist that we do it right the first time, and this is why the Jamaica Teaching Council legislation is so important because we cannot transfer teaching from the regular contact hours,” Thwaites told a Gleaner Editors’ Forum last Thursday.
The Teachers say:
….The president of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, Paul Adams, told The Gleaner that the money the teachers collect for extra lessons are just merely contributions.”The fees that they charged are contribution, they are reasonable. These teachers sacrifice their time with their family to provide lesson for the children,” he argued.
And the parents of the PTA say:
Meanwhile, Marcia McCausland-Wilson, president of the National Parent Teachers’ Association, said extra lessons, in most cases, are offered to children whose parents can afford to pay and so they are normally ahead in their schoolwork. “The weaker students in the class who need the lesson, but can’t afford to pay, do not get extra lessons most of the times. There are a few teachers who will have extra lesson for the entire class but not the majority,” she lamented.
McCausland-Wilson said her association has received complaints that the topics taught in extra lessons are normally being introduced there for the first time, adding that an investigation would be done.
We would Love YOUR opinion, especially if you have been through the GSAT preparations recently.
Learn MoreGSAT is ‘apartheid’ – Jamaica Gleaner – Wednesday | June 20, 2012
GSAT is ‘apartheid’ – Lead Stories – Jamaica Gleaner – Wednesday | June 20, 2012.
Despite its unfortunate and negative title, this article speaks POSITIVELY to the important need for parents to give support and presence to secondary schooling. As the national average goes UP (…. goood news!!! ) each school can be presumed to receive a better student. Parents have to keep the “GSAT momentum” going wherever they child is placed. Throughout schooling, PARENTS ARE ESSENTIAL!
Learn MoreIn his plea to parents and students, Thwaites said: “Grow where you are planted; work with your child’s school to make it better.”
Marcia McCausland-Wilson, president of the National Parent Teacher Association of Jamaica, is singing from the same hymn sheet as the minister. “What we want is for parents to understand that this year, because the grades are good, students who have done well will be placed at upgraded high schools and they can perform well nonetheless,” McCausland-Wilson told The Gleaner. She added: “I can only say to the students, bloom where they are planted; and parents, wherever the students go, support them and help build the schools.”
I wish GSAT would leave the earth – News/Video Link – JamaicaObserver.com
VIDEO: ‘I wish GSAT would leave the earth’ – News – JamaicaObserver.com.
“I see not only children suffering, but I see parents suffering,” he said. Results of the 2012 tests are expected to be released within a few days. The GSAT, which replaced the Common Entrance Examination in 19mathematics, Language Arts, Communication Tasks, Social Studies, and Integrated Science.
However, there have been increasing calls from parents and students to make adjustments to the exams, which have been blamed for traumatising children.
“The stress that people go through, the stress that it brings on our children, the disappointment afterwards are all hurting our kids, and I really wish that there could be some creative way of getting beyond this,” said Fuderich. “I know there are resource constrictions; I know… that there are schools that are interspersed across the island and people compete for the different schools, but somehow we have to do a better job, because the pressure that this puts on children is inexcusable,” he said.
Learn MoreThe Ministry of Education has undertaken a comprehensive review of the exam. The assessment team comprises a consortium from the University of Wolverhampton, Pearson Educational Unit and DPK Jamaica Limited.
The findings of the assessment are expected to be ready by yearend and will guide the ministry on what changes are needed to make the exam more age-appropriate.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/-I-wish-GSAT-would-leave-the-earth-_11675739#ixzz1xympKfUj
Test time
We love these suggestions. Having a plan is always reassuring, no matter how young you are. its reassuring for nervous parents too!
Learn MoreLETTER OF THE DAY – Find GSAT replacement – Letters – Jamaica Gleaner – Thursday | April 26, 2012
LETTER OF THE DAY – Find GSAT replacement – Letters – Jamaica Gleaner – Thursday | April 26, 2012.
The elitist nature of the GSAT exam is reinforced by the Ministry of Education in two ways. The top performers of the exams are sent to a limited number of high-performing high schools, and candidates with the lowest scores are also sent to a number of low-performing high schools.
Therefore, from day one the selection process is flawed and plays into the socio-economic divide that is so pervasive… Education should be a catalyst to bridge the gap in society, not widen it.
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With regard to the GSAT not being a true measurement of a student’s ability, take the example of the subject, communication task. This exam is divided into two parts: an essay section marked out of 6, and the other, a short answer section which requires students to fill out information using a given prompt, also marked out of 6.
Determining average student
In quite a number of instances, a student can score six out of 12 in communication task, and that candidate could be seen as being an average student by virtue of scoring 50 per cent. However, that same candidate can omit to do the essay section or may have scored zero in that section.
This scenario happens more often than not and can be interpreted by a given school that the student entering their institution is an average student in that subject.
Of course, this would be far from the truth, as many of those ‘average’ students could be, and should be, classified as functional illiterates.
This article speaks of diversity, and testing techniques.
What do you think should be the hallmarks of a new system for student placement in our secondary schools?
Learn More