Strengths and Pitfalls in the Practice of Student Learning Assessment in Relation to MinimumLearning Competency : The case of Three Second Cycle Schools in North Wollo
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Date
2010-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to ';nvestigate the practice of student learning assessment
in three-s econd cycle primary schools in No rth Wallo Zone. The method employed
was descriptive survey method. 292 respondents ji-om the three selected schools and
Woreda Education office were used as sources of data. The instruments employed
were Questionnaire, Interview and observation checklist. The study revealed that the
dominant assessment tools used by teachers in the schools are individual work,
homework, group work, oral questioning, a short answer, dis cussion, tests,
completing sentences and presentation. Project work, fieldwork and laboratOlY lVork
are the least practiced tools in the schools. Checklist, rating scale and anecdotal
record are the neglected or unknown assessment tools in the schools. Factors
influencing the assessment practice in the schools were lack of commitment of
teachers, training and skills, overload, lack oj administrative support, lack of
laboratory equipments and surface supervision, neglecting (not attention given) to the
guide line materials such as minimum learning competency (MLC) material and
assessment guideline for primary school teachers prepared by ICDR as well ยท as
absence of evaluating mechanism for assessment practice in the schools by Woreda
education office. Supporting teachers with MLC material and assessment guideline
which are found in the Woreda education office and in the schools, giving contim.{ous
short trainings to teach~rs, school princip als and vice principals, motivating
teachers and students to make them committed to practice student learning
assessment, developing awareness of parents about assessment practice and their
participation and other recommendable recommendations were forwarded, which the
researcher has assumed valuable to improve the practice of student learning
assessment in the schools.
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Keywords
Relation to Minimum Learning Competency