Proposed Shift from Summative Assessment to School-Based Assessment in District Poonch An Overview of Benefits, Limitations, and Implementation Strategies
Current Middle Standard Examination System: Summative Assessment Benefits: - Students remain active and competitive - Teachers motivated to enhance school performance - Uniformity in the examination process Limitations: - Primarily relies on rote learning - Does not cover the entire syllabus - Conducted only at the end of the academic year, creating high pressure and anxiety - Reduces creativity and critical thinking - Lacks continuous feedback - Involves excessive expenditure of funds (approx. 5 lakhs in the previous year), time, and labor - Challenges in managing transportation of confidential material and ensuring security - No scope for fee collection due to Right to Education Act 2009 - Undefined role of parents
Proposal: School-Based Assessment (SBA) Advantages of SBA: - Improves student learning by encouraging ownership - Provides personalized feedback tailored to individual needs - Reduces stress and anxiety by eliminating high-stakes exams - Offers a more accurate evaluation by capturing a comprehensive picture of student learning - Fosters teacher professional development - Ensures curriculum alignment - Increases student engagement - Develops critical skills like problem-solving and communication Limitations of SBA: - Assessments may vary in quality and rigor - Teacher bias may influence results - Lack of standardization can make comparisons challenging - Schools may face resource constraints - Increases teacher workload - May evaluate only a narrow range of skills - May struggle to assess certain skills effectively
Support and Implementation for SBA Implementation Strategy: - Adequate logistical and professional support from Samagra Shiksha - Focus on rural areas - Provide training and resources for teachers - Develop a standard framework to ensure quality and rigor - Engage parents and define their role in the assessment process - Regularly review and adjust the system based on feedback - Ensure consistent monitoring and evaluation