May 09, 2022
British International Schools Assessment System to See an Evolution
T The post pandemic world has made British International Schools rethink and reset their education system. At the recently concluded COBIS Annual Conference in London, members believed that a change in learning system is needed.
COBIS Chairman Trevor Rowell indicated that the council plans to abolish an outdated system and adopt modern learning. Mr Rowell said, “There’s an obsession with tests and examinations, and there is far too little attention to developing the learning qualities needed for the middle of the 21st century.”
…there’s an obsession with tests and examinations, and there is far too little attention to developing the learning qualities needed for the middle of the 21st century…
Head of ACS International School Cobham, Barnaby Sandow, agreed with a system change citing that during Covid, several students skipped GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) exams. He further added, “We’re in the midst of a mental health crisis. And we’re about to put thousands of children into a whole bunch of high stakes exams that they don’t need. Isn’t that child abuse?”
‘An assessment director at Pearson, Hayley White, was of the opinion that an evolution and not a revolution is the need of the hour. Citing reports, she added, “What I would say in terms of where we go from here is a need to be assessing the right skills in the right way,” she said. “So, for some, that will be an exam with a variety of different question types. Some of it might be portfolio or on-screen assessments. And I think that’s the challenge. How do we best assess what we’re trying to measure?”
According to reports, a section of members at the conference were comfortable changing their education system. While some highlighted the willingness to teach a minimum five GCSEs, others were comfortable adding globally accepted IB qualifications to curriculums.
CEO Colin Bell emphasised working closely with higher education institutions worldwide. The conversation has got a lot of energy to it, he said. “And behind that energy I think there is a real depth for a desire for change, but not change just for the sake of it. But change really to provide a better pathway to success in life. And we all know that success isn’t just derived from your grades in assessments.
“But I think as well it's important that for this change to take place and for it to be meaningful and impactful and sustainable, it cannot just be related to schools. It has to be connected to the higher education sector globally." He added.
Posted in News and tagged News, GCSE, COBIS, Council of British International Schools
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