Roles of Testing

In today's system, testing has become a critical policy in any environment. Schools administer various kinds of tests to students, industries or companies give tests to applicants, organizations tests their members for various reasons. Regardless of whatever the purpose of testing, the main objective of testing is to differentiate and classify individuals to specific roles and functions.

International Conference on Educational Measurement and Evaluation

International Conference on Educational Measurement & Evaluation (ICEME2012)

The Philippine Educational Measurement and Evaluation Association (PEMEA) is organizing an International Conference on Educational Measurement and Evaluation on August 9-11, 2012 In Manila with the theme "Educational Assessment in a Multicultural Environment". Prof. Thomas Oakland, a world renowned Educational Psychologist and presently Visiting Professor at Macau University will be the keynote speaker.

Three pre-conference workshops will be offered on August 8, 2012 and to be facilitated by:

Dr. Maria Di Benedetto (City University of New York) on "Microanalytic Technique on Assessing Student Learning"
Dr. Judy Wilkerson (Florida Gulf Coast University) on "Developing Rubrics to Assess Learning"
Dr. Thomas Oakland (University of Florida & Macau University) on "Test Development and Adaptation"

Call for Papers is now on.

For more details, please contact: pemea2008@yahoo.com or r-gonzales@consultant.com

NCEME 2010

The Second National Conference on Educational Measurement and Evaluation (NCEME)

"Educational Assessment in Knowledge Society"

August 5-6, 2010

CSB Hotel International Conference Center

Arellano Ave.

Cor. Estrada St., Malate Manila, 1004 Philippines

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Anders Jonsson

The Second National Conference on Educational Measurement and Evaluation (NCEME) will be held on August 5-6 in CSB International hotel in Manila. The conference is organized by the Philippine Educational Measurement and Evaluation Association (PEMEA) in collaboration with the Center for Learning and Performance Asessment (CLPA) of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB).

Click here to see registration details

August 4, 2010: Pre-conference workshop

"Assessing Competence in Teacher Education"

by Dr. Anders Jonsson

August 5, 2010: Conference Day 1

8:00-9:00 Registration

9:00-10:00 Opening Ceremonies

Invocation - CSB Chaplain

National Anthem

Welcome Remarks - Bro. Victor Franco, FSC

Opening Remarks & Presentation of Participants - Neil Parinas (PEMEA Vice

president)

Presidential Address - Richard Gonzales, PhD (PEMEA President)

Keynote Address - Anders Jonsson, PhD

Master of Ceremonies: Lina Miclat, PhD, PEMEA Secretary

10:00-10:30 Morning Snacks (Launching of the EME Review)

10:30-12:00 Panel Discussion: The Role of Educational Assessment in a Knowledge Society

12:00 - 1:00 Lunch Break

1:00-2:15 First Plenary Session: Assessment and Evaluation Practices and Standards in the Asia and the Pacific

2:15-3:00 Second Plenary Session: Modern Test Thoery and Development in Psychometrics

3:30-4:00 Afternoon Snacks

4:00-5:00 Third Plenary Session: Educational Evaluation

5:00-6:00 Challenges and Prospects of Educational Measurement and Evaluation in the Philippines (Division Chairs)

6:00-9:00 Recognition of the Editorial Board

Presentation of the First Copies to the Authors

Distribution of the EME Review

Fellowship and Dinner Socials

August 6, 2009: Day 2 Conference

8:30-10:30 First Concurrent Session

10:30-12:00 Second Concurrent Sessions

12:00-1:00 Lunch Break

1:00-2:00 PEMEA Business Meeting

President's report

Treasurer's report

Election of Board of Directors

2:00-4:00 Mini Workshops

4:00-5:00 Closing Ceremonies

Recognition of PEMEA Fellows

Recognition of PEMEA honorary members

Announcement of New Board of Directors

Closing Remarks

Master of Ceremonies: Belen Chu, PEMEA PRO

For more information you may contact the Secretariat Chair Dr. Lina Miclat at (02)5267441 loc 165 at the Center for Learning and Performance Assessment, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

You may submit your abstracts for paper presentations (concurrent session) to the Scientific Committee Chair Dr. Carlo Magno at pemea2008@yahoo.com.

Defining Assessment

One of the many questions that teachers ask is what is assessment? Of course, if you do literature review, you will get 1001 definitions coming from different perspectives. Likewise, you get so many literature defining the concept and differentiating it from evaluation and even measurement.

Generally, various authors define assessment as the process that involves both gathering information and using that information as a means to improve teaching, student learning, student services, and administrative services. Authors also say that assessment includes making expectations explicit and public, and setting appropriate criteria and high standards.

As a process, it focuses on systematically gathering, analyzing, and interpreting evidence to determine how well performance matches those expectations and standards. Likewise, it enables one to use the resulting information to document, explain, and enhance performance.

Assessment is very helpful in creating a shared academic culture dedicated to continually improving the quality of education at all levels.

Thus, it is obvious that assessment is not a single set of actions, BUT an on-going cyclical and dynamic process permeating any institution of learning.

Student Assessment and Examinations in Samoa

Starting April 14, 2009, I am posted as National Assessment and Examination Framework Specialist for the Samoa Education Sector Project II (ESPII). I will be serving as Consultant for this ADB-funded project for a total of 12 man-months.

This is my first assignment in the Pacific Region and it is really challenging! I am sharing you how Educational Assessment is practiced here in Samoa and in other Pacific Island countries.

Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa, became the first South Pacific country to be gain political independence in 1962.  It is located on the western part of the Samoan archipelago while American Samoa is one the eastern part.

In ESPII, one of my major outputs is to help the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture (MESC)  to prepare its National Assessment Policy Framework. This policy is in line with the modernization of Samoa's primary curriculum and assessment.

At present, Samoa's education system is loaded with national examinations.  The following are existing examinations in the system:

• Samoa Primary Education Literacy Levels (SPELL) Test for Year 4
  
• SPELL Test for Year 6
  
• Year 8 National Examinations
• Samoan School Certificate Examinations for Year 12
• Pacific Senior Secondary Level Exams for Year 13 (administered by the South Pacific Board of Education Assessment based in Fiji)

All the national examinations are administered by the Assessment Unit of the Curriculum, Materials and Assessment Division of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture.

Purposes of the National Examinations in Samoa

1. Samoa Primary Education Literacy Levels Examinations (for Year 4 and 6)

• To monitor the literacy level in the primary levels focusing on English, Gagana Samoa and Numeracy.

2. Year 8 National Examinations

• For certification at the end of the primary level, and for ranking purpose to do selection to government senior schools (Avele College, Samoa College and Vaipouli College)

3.  Samoa School Certificate (for Year 12)

• For certification and selection to Year 13 level

4.  Pacific Senior Secondary Certificate Exams (for Year 13)

• For certification and selection to university and other tertiary institutions. This test is administered by South Pacific Board of Education Assessment based in Fiji.

School Based Assessment Program in Sri Lanka: An Overview

This year, I am posted as Teaching-Learning Methodologies Specialist cum Team Leader of the Secondary Education Modernization Project II: Package 2 (Curriculum Development) of the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka from January to July, 2009. This project is funded by Asian Development Bank.

The SEMPII has  3 packages. Package 1 focuses on Educational Planning and Management, Package 2 on Curriculum Development, and Package 3 is on Information and Communication Technology. In package 2, the major activities include development of capacity building in teaching-learning methodologies and development of resources and use, science instruction, technology/technical instruction, library development, and student and instructional evaluation.

On January 12-13, 2009, the consultants of all packages were gathered for a Project Orientation held at the National Education Institute (NIE), Meepe Campus. Among the topics presented was the School-Based Assessment Programme of Sri Lanka. As Educational Assessment Practitioner, I am summarizing some of the points presented by Dr. G.L.S. Nanayakkara based on the materials distributed during the orientation.

What is School-based Assessment or SBA?

-  An asessment carried out in schools by pupils' own teachers, with the prime purpose of improving pupils' learning.

- SBA should be formative and diagnostic

- Overall aim of SBA is to improve the quality of learning, teaching and assessment.

Why is SBA superior than one-shot written examinations?

High Validity - in many subjects some objectives cannot be assessed though a single written test alone, during a short period (e.g., subjects involving practical skills). Subject objectives can be readily assessed through SBA.

High Reliability - over a period of about 2 years, a teacher is able to assess a pupil several times using a variety of modalities. The average of such assessment is more reliable.

Evolution of SBA in Sri Lanka

1986 - Department of Examinations initiated Continuous Assessment Scheme to serve a component of the GCE (O/L) Exams. It had been abandoned in 1989.

1994 - NIE initiated a Classroom Based Assessment Program for Grades 6-9. Piloted in NWP and lated extended to 100 schools. Revised and changed as SBA. A training program on SBA was also launched during the year.

1999 - Revised SBA Programme was implemented at national level in Grade 6 and 9, under the Education Reform Programme.

2001 - Department of Examinations did further revision and implemented the revised SBA program to GCE (O/L) Grades, with SEMP assistance.

2003 - Department of Examinations extended the implementation of SBA Program to GCE (A/L) Grades.

Inclusion of SBA Grades in the certificated commenced in 2002 for GCE (O/L) and 2005 for GCE (A/L).

What are the key characteristics of the current SBA Program?

• extraordinary simplicity
• teacher-friendliness
• openness and transparency of assessment practices
• amenable to continuous external monitoring.
• promotes the use of diverse assessment modalities
• encourages competency-oriented teaching-learning
• not being burdensome to teachers and students
• use of definitive number of criteria ( n=5) and definitive number of marks per criterion (n=4)
• use a simple 10-point scoring rubric

What are the identified strengths of the SBA Program?

• implemented satisfactorily in the majority of schools
• popularity is growing among teachers and pupils
• teachers pay more attention to plan assessment tasks than before
• pupils pay more attention to skills development, due to high recognition given for skills in SBA
• assessment results are used to give immediate feedback to pupils

What are the recent developments relating to SBA?

• A program to improve school term tests was pilot tested and arrangements are being made to include selected term tests marks to SBA marks (one per term)
• SBA mark sheets submitted by schools are checked by a special panel of Subject Directors at the zonal level, before the mark sheets are forwarded to the Department of Examinations.
• Discussions on integrating SBA marks and external examination marks in order to award a single grade for Aesthetic subjects of the GCE (O/L) are in progress.
• A tele-drama with 15 episodes for awareness creation.

Some future needs.....

• Developing suitable mechanisms to moderate raw SBA marks prior to integrating with external exams marks.
• Extending integration of SBA marks and external exams marks for more subjects.
• Training the National Testing and Examinations Service officers on SBA moderation practices.
• Re-establishing Zonal Monitoring Panels.
• Marking SBA Grades acceptable to the employer, community, and general public.

School Based Assessment Program in Sri Lanka: An Overview

This year, I am posted as Teaching-Learning Methodologies Specialist cum Team Leader of the Secondary Education Modernization Project II: Package 2 (Curriculum Development) of the Ministry of Education of Sri Lanka from January to July, 2009. This project is funded by Asian Development Bank.

The SEMPII has  3 packages. Package 1 focuses on Educational Planning and Management, Package 2 on Curriculum Development, and Package 3 is on Information and Communication Technology. In package 2, the major activities include development of capacity building in teaching-learning methodologies and development of resources and use, science instruction, technology/technical instruction, library development, and student and instructional evaluation.

On January 12-13, 2009, the consultants of all packages were gathered for a Project Orientation held at the National Education Institute (NIE), Meepe Campus. Among the topics presented was the School-Based Assessment Programme of Sri Lanka. As Educational Assessment Practitioner, I am summarizing some of the points presented by Dr. G.L.S. Nanayakkara based on the materials distributed during the orientation.

What is School-based Assessment or SBA?

-  An asessment carried out in schools by pupils' own teachers, with the prime purpose of improving pupils' learning.

- SBA should be formative and diagnostic

- Overall aim of SBA is to improve the quality of learning, teaching and assessment.

Why is SBA superior than one-shot written examinations?

High Validity - in many subjects some objectives cannot be assessed though a single written test alone, during a short period (e.g., subjects involving practical skills). Subject objectives can be readily assessed through SBA.

High Reliability - over a period of about 2 years, a teacher is able to assess a pupil several times using a variety of modalities. The average of such assessment is more reliable.

Evolution of SBA in Sri Lanka

1986 - Department of Examinations initiated Continuous Assessment Scheme to serve a component of the GCE (O/L) Exams. It had been abandoned in 1989.

1994 - NIE initiated a Classroom Based Assessment Program for Grades 6-9. Piloted in NWP and lated extended to 100 schools. Revised and changed as SBA. A training program on SBA was also launched during the year.

1999 - Revised SBA Programme was implemented at national level in Grade 6 and 9, under the Education Reform Programme.

2001 - Department of Examinations did further revision and implemented the revised SBA program to GCE (O/L) Grades, with SEMP assistance.

2003 - Department of Examinations extended the implementation of SBA Program to GCE (A/L) Grades.

Inclusion of SBA Grades in the certificated commenced in 2002 for GCE (O/L) and 2005 for GCE (A/L).

What are the key characteristics of the current SBA Program?

• extraordinary simplicity
• teacher-friendliness
• openness and transparency of assessment practices
• amenable to continuous external monitoring.
• promotes the use of diverse assessment modalities
• encourages competency-oriented teaching-learning
• not being burdensome to teachers and students
• use of definitive number of criteria ( n=5) and definitive number of marks per criterion (n=4)
• use a simple 10-point scoring rubric

What are the identified strengths of the SBA Program?

• implemented satisfactorily in the majority of schools
• popularity is growing among teachers and pupils
• teachers pay more attention to plan assessment tasks than before
• pupils pay more attention to skills development, due to high recognition given for skills in SBA
• assessment results are used to give immediate feedback to pupils

What are the recent developments relating to SBA?

• A program to improve school term tests was pilot tested and arrangements are being made to include selected term tests marks to SBA marks (one per term)
• SBA mark sheets submitted by schools are checked by a special panel of Subject Directors at the zonal level, before the mark sheets are forwarded to the Department of Examinations.
• Discussions on integrating SBA marks and external examination marks in order to award a single grade for Aesthetic subjects of the GCE (O/L) are in progress.
• A tele-drama with 15 episodes for awareness creation.

Some future needs.....

• Developing suitable mechanisms to moderate raw SBA marks prior to integrating with external exams marks.
• Extending integration of SBA marks and external exams marks for more subjects.
• Training the National Testing and Examinations Service officers on SBA moderation practices.
• Re-establishing Zonal Monitoring Panels.
• Marking SBA Grades acceptable to the employer, community, and general public.