International E-publication: Publish Projects, Dissertation, Theses, Books, Souvenir, Conference Proceeding with ISBN.  International E-Bulletin: Information/News regarding: Academics and Research

Assessment Syllabus and the Validity of Agricultural Education

Author Affiliations

  • 1 Chief Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Ministry of Health, BOTSWANA

Res. J.Educational Sci., Volume 3, Issue (5), Pages 1-9, June,1 (2015)

Abstract

The decline in the performance of students in their final secondary examinations coupled with the emerging trend of teaching students for the sole purpose of passing examinations brings to question the validity of the entire examination system. This study was concerned with the degree to which public examinations in Botswana can be said to be valid in measuring syllabus-based content and cognitive skills deemed by the society to be essential for the development of individual and the society. The study used a survey inferential design to collect and analyse syllabus and test-related information from related documents. The population of the study includes Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education agriculture examinations papers from 2007 to 2012. SPSS was used to analyse data using correlation analysis to test all the hypotheses at .05 level of significance. The content and skills in the mock tests portrayed more of the BGCSE examinations than the syllabus probably because teachers in senior secondary schools rely on past examinations papers during teaching and assessment. Agriculture mock examinations for almost all the years are significantly more valid with BGCSE examinations as the criterion than with the curriculum content as the criterion The study concludes that teachers ought to be provided with an in service training on test development. Schools should have quality procedures to discourage teachers from using past examinations as a source for setting school examinations but rather base their teaching and assessment on the instructional objectives of the syllabus.

References

  1. Kellaghan T. and Greaney V., Monitoring performance: Assessment and examinations in Africa. Paris, France: Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), (2003)
  2. Guskey T.R., Using assessment to improve student learning. Keynote address at the annual conference on assessment, testing and reporting achievement. National Conference on Standards and Assessment, Toronto, Ontario, (1999)
  3. Eisemon T.O. and Schwille J., Primary schooling in Burundi and Kenya: Preparation for secondary education or for self employment. The Elementary School Journal, 92 (Special Issue: International Education. Sept, 1991) , 23–39 (1991)
  4. De Gruijter D.N. and Van der Kamp L.J., Statistical test theory for education and psychology, Boston: Kluwer (2003)
  5. Kline, Classical test theory: assumptions, equations, limitations and item analysis. Chapter 5. Retrieved from http://www.sagepub.com/upm-data/4869_Kline_Chapter _5_Classical_Test_Theory.pdf (2005)
  6. Nenty H.J., Some factors that influence students’ patterns of response to mathematics examination items, Boleswa Educational Research Journal, 17, 47-58 (2000)
  7. Manaris B., Wainer M., Kirkpatrick A. E., Stalvey R.H., Shannon C., Leventhal L., Barnes J., Wright J., Schafer J.B. and Sanders D., Implementations of the CC001 Human–Computer interaction guidelines using Bloom’s Taxonomy. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com/ ehost/detail?vid=4andhid=105andsid=3b66e22b-93e7-49ca-81cf-3ed5237d6358%40sessionmgr, 7 (2007)
  8. National Education Association Implementing high standards and accountability, Great public schools for every child. USA (2006)
  9. Botswana Examination Council, Summary of results. Retrieved from http://www.bec.co.bw/past-results/2011 /2011_bgcse_book_version.pdf/view (2011)
  10. Nthobatsang F.M., Analysis of content validity of Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) – science examination 1988-1990, Unpublished thesis, University of Botswana (1992)
  11. Nenty H.J., Adedoyin O.O. and Major T.E., Analysis of the perceptions of classroom assessment practices as means of providing quality education by teachers and teachers trainees in Botswana schools. Educational Foundations, University of Botswana, Gaborone (2006)
  12. Mwendwa N., The challenges of education and development in post-colonial Kenya. Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa, 28 (3and4), 211-228 (2003)
  13. Makaya M. and Kings B., A quality assessment of educational and training for Kenya’s tour operating sector. Retrieved from www.multilingual_matters.net/cit /005/0112/cit0050112.pdf (2002)
  14. Shahzada K.K.A., Maroof B.R. and Kamal H., Teachers’ Job Satisfaction and the Role of Principles for Effective Educational System in Secondary Schools of Karachi, Pakistan, Research Journal of Educational Sciences, 3(2), 3-4, (2015)
  15. Hamilton L.S., Stecher B.M. and Klein S.P., Making sense of test-based accountability in education, Santa Monica CA: RAND (2002)
  16. Bond L, Teaching to the test. Stanford, CA: The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. Retrieved from http://carnegiefoudation.org/perspectives/sub.asp?key=245andsubkey=579 (2007)
  17. Nenty H.J., Student-problem (S-P) skill analysis of pupils’ mathematics performance: A strategy for enhancing quality of education. Ife Psycologia:An International Journal, , 173-192(2001)
  18. Martin M.O., The science curriculum. TIMSS and PIRLS international study center. Lynch school of education. (2nd Ed). Chestnut Hill, MA: Boston College (2003)
  19. The University of Texas at Austin. Sampling procedureInstructional assessment resources http://www.utexas.edu/ academic/ctl/assessment/iar/teaching/plan/method/doc-analysis.php (2011)
  20. Upendra- SEO T., Importance of data processing and data conversion for small business. Retrieved from http://goarticles.com/article/Importance-of-Data-Processing -and-Data-Conversion-for-Small-Business/1574022/ (2009)
  21. Nenty H.J., Assessment as means of enhancing improved quality of life through education National University of Lesotho. Retrieved from http://boleswa97.tripod.com/nenty_assessment.htm (1997)
  22. Raveendran A., Beyond Testing and Grading: Using Assessment to Improve Teaching- Learning Research Journal of Educational Sciences1(1), 2-7, (2013)
  23. Ranku G., An exploratory survey of teacher designed test used in junior secondary schools in Gaborone. Unpublished thesis: University of Botswana (2001)
  24. Bond L.A., Critical Issue: Rethinking Assessment and Its Role in Supporting Educational Reform. North Central Regional Educational Laboratory. Retrieved from http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/assment/as700.htm (1995)