The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

COVID gives us a chance to rethink traditional end-of-school exams, and move into the 21 century

  • Written by John Fischetti, Professor, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the College of Human and Social Futures, University of Newcastle
COVID gives us a chance to rethink traditional end-of-school exams, and move into the 21 century

Victoria and New South Wales are in a scramble to plan for end-of-school exams. Vaccination targets may not be hit in time (for students or teachers), and there are other issues too — such as kids having missed weeks of face-to-face schooling.

NSW has postponed its HSC (Higher School Certificate) exams[1] until November. And while Victoria postponed its General Achievement Test, it has made no changes[2] to its HSC equivalent, the VCE.

Some critics believe postponing exams isn’t enough, and are calling on states to eliminate end-of-school exams[3] altogether.

Both states have special consideration policies[4] put in place for scores impacted by COVID, but is this enough? And does this unique circumstance give us an opportunity to change the way end-of-school assessments are done?

Two schools of thought

Opinions around this year’s exams fall into two main schools of thought.

The first is that year 12 students deserve to finish what they started. We have spent 12 years convincing them of the importance of this milestone. Many students are anxious, if exams are cancelled, their pathway to university and beyond will be jeopardised by using only their prior track records. Some students are advocating[5] keeping exams for all these reasons.

The alternate school of thought is that we’ve known for years[6] end-of-school exams can cause debilitating stress[7] for many young people. The extraordinary pressure of the process has tipped over the breaking point this year with so much time missed in schools.

So we should take the pressure off our kids and work with vocational education and training providers, and universities, to accommodate them.

Read more: 'How outrageous and impossible is that?': factoring in how year 12 students coped in lockdown is a grading nightmare for teachers[8]

There have always been alternative pathways[9] to university and they have been expanding in recent years. We can use those already existing pathway which include subject-specific recruitment schemes, principal recommendations and portfolio entry.

There is already enough data in a student’s record to make an informed decision and allow admissions officers to move forward without this year’s exams. Perhaps we can even look toward eliminating them into the future with more lead time to do the calculations.

What is the rest of the world doing?

End-of-school exams were cancelled this year[10] due to pandemic restrictions in the United States, France, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands and Germany. Exams were modified in Denmark, Israel and Austria, while Italy held oral only exams.

The United Kingdom cancelled its A-level exams[11] for the last two years and, in Finland, students were allowed to sit their university entrance exams multiple times.

Most Asian countries have postponed their exams[12]. Many pundits in Western countries are advocating for a major change[13] to the high-stakes assessment process, noting universities adjusted their entry criteria in the first year of the pandemic and coped just fine.

What are Australia’s options?

Australian educational leaders and policy makers have three distinct options:

1. Keep the system we have and continue to improve it

The first option[14] – supported by most education ministers and regulators in states and territories – is that our exams and curriculum are built on a high degree of excellence and rigour. They have been honed by years of experience and completed by millions of students.

Continuing to improve the assessments and the curriculum that feeds them will ensure high standards and credibility for excellence rather than promoting a “lowering of the bar”. Over time, we can evolve new courses and assessments, incorporating more technology-based assessments as they are tested and validated for the high-volume administrations of state exams.

2. Add a learner profile to the current system

A second option[15] – that of “learning profiles” – is based on the idea we need to expand the skills we value in young people, beyond those in traditional academic subjects. Skills of the future include[16] critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration.

Digital platforms are being developed[17] to house evidence of student engagement in the community and to store non-traditional forms of learning (including video and other media) in online tools, creating a learner profile to represent these authentic learning experiences. NSW says it will be trialling[18] this next year, creating an “education passport” for students.

3. Transform the system with new designs for schooling and assessment

The Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta is transforming the use of student progress data[19] over the school years. Think of the dashboard of a car that has multiple dials and indicators and imagine using that same approach to aggregate data about students and their learning journeys.

These tools can reliably forecast student performance, allowing us to adjust our interventions to promote student success. With the use of predictive analytics, rather than waiting for end-of-school exam results, we can help students boost their future trajectories[20] through immediate support and interventions.

The Paramatta Education Diocese is in the early days of re-designing its schools to promote personal pathways and allow students to align their passions to their emerging skillsets.

Read more: We know by Year 11 what mark students will get in Year 12. Do we still need a stressful exam?[21]

Stemming from a concept of “leaving to learn[22]Big Picture Learning Australia[23] — a not-for-profit company transforming traditional education – features internships centred around the passions of students as the core of the secondary experience. Teachers run advisories that allow for transdisciplinary learning[24] in lieu of traditional classes, all mapped to the syllabuses of the key curriculum learning areas.

Around 40+ schools across the country[25] are in partnership with this model. Students develop portfolios of their learning to document their journeys, organising their projects and assignments to critical learning outcomes which are assessed in a cloud-based learner credential[26]. Nearly 20 Australian universities already accept these portfolios and the credentual[27] for admission in lieu of end-of-school exams.

Our education system is built on 20th century (or earlier) designs of teaching, learning and assessment. COVID gives us the chance to do what we could have done already — move forward with a modern assessment model based on our current knowledge of learning. The goal is for all our children to discover and reach their potential.

References

  1. ^ postponed its HSC (Higher School Certificate) exams (www.skynews.com.au)
  2. ^ made no changes (7news.com.au)
  3. ^ eliminate end-of-school exams (www.aare.edu.au)
  4. ^ special consideration policies (www.smh.com.au)
  5. ^ students are advocating (www.smh.com.au)
  6. ^ we’ve known for years (theconversation.com)
  7. ^ cause debilitating stress (www.theguardian.com)
  8. ^ 'How outrageous and impossible is that?': factoring in how year 12 students coped in lockdown is a grading nightmare for teachers (theconversation.com)
  9. ^ alternative pathways (artofsmart.com.au)
  10. ^ cancelled this year (www.universityworldnews.com)
  11. ^ cancelled its A-level exams (www.theguardian.com)
  12. ^ countries have postponed their exams (en.unesco.org)
  13. ^ advocating for a major change (www.theguardian.com)
  14. ^ first option (www.smh.com.au)
  15. ^ second option (cica.org.au)
  16. ^ Skills of the future include (education.nsw.gov.au)
  17. ^ being developed (www.theeducatoronline.com)
  18. ^ says it will be trialling (education.nsw.gov.au)
  19. ^ transforming the use of student progress data (parra.catholic.edu.au)
  20. ^ help students boost their future trajectories (theconversation.com)
  21. ^ We know by Year 11 what mark students will get in Year 12. Do we still need a stressful exam? (theconversation.com)
  22. ^ leaving to learn (www.amazon.com.au)
  23. ^ Big Picture Learning Australia (www.bigpicture.org.au)
  24. ^ run advisories that allow for transdisciplinary learning (www.bigpicture.org.au)
  25. ^ schools across the country (www.bigpicture.org.au)
  26. ^ learner credential (www.bigpicture.org.au)
  27. ^ already accept these portfolios and the credentual (www.abc.net.au)

Read more https://theconversation.com/covid-gives-us-a-chance-to-rethink-traditional-end-of-school-exams-and-move-into-the-21-century-167038

The Times Features

Why Regional Small Businesses in Bendigo Deserve Better Access to Finance in 2025

In the heart of regional Victoria, Bendigo has long stood as a beacon of innovation, resilience and community spirit. As we step further into 2025, the importance of nurturing sm...

Is It Time for a Deep Cleaning? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Most people know they should visit the dentist for a regular check-up and cleaning every six months. But sometimes, a standard cleaning isn’t enough. When plaque and tartar build...

The Hidden Meaning Behind Popular Engagement Ring Cuts

When it comes to engagement rings, the cut of the diamond is not just about aesthetics. Each shape carries its own symbolism and significance, making it an important decision for...

Annual Health Exams in the Office: How They Can Reduce Sick Days and Healthcare Costs

Regular health check-ups, especially annual health exams in the office, can significantly impact the overall well-being of your workforce. A proactive approach to employee health...

Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

Key Highlights Discover the best deals on high-quality outdoor furniture online. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and comfortable oasis. Explore a wide range of d...

Discover the Best Women's Jumpers for Every Season

Key Highlights Explore lightweight jumpers for spring and summer, ensuring breathability and ease. Wrap up warm with cozy wool jumpers for the chilly autumn and winter season...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping