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300 schools hit by exams blunder
Thursday, 15 October 2009
The wrong maths scores from a computer-based assessment test have been sent out to pupils in over 300 primary schools across Northern Ireland, it emerged today.
The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) has apologised for the blunder and insisted that the tests will not need to be re-taken by children.
Interactive Computerised Assessment (InCAS) are adaptive tests — this means they select the initial questions based on the pupil's age and then present further questions in response to the pupil's answers. The assessment is meant to support schools in identifying pupils’ strengths and areas where they are having difficulties. They are currently not for any purpose related to the transfer of pupils from primary to post-primary school.
They are currently taken by pupils in years four to seven at the beginning of the school year.
A statement issued by CCEA this morning said: “Following the delivery of these assessments in September, a small number of schools informed CCEA that their scores for General Maths were not as they had expected.
“CCEA instructed CEM (Centre for Evaluating and Monitoring) who administer the tests to carry out a check on the results.”
CEM detected an error which caused some General Maths scores to be incorrect. Over 300 schools were affected.
The error was caused by the inclusion of an additional set of questions for the purpose of future development. This has since been corrected and accurate scores have now been processed. Letters are being sent to schools with guidance on the next steps to take.
The statement said: “This falls far short of CCEA standards and we apologise sincerely for any distress caused to pupils and their parents. A series of rigorous checks has since been carried out across all assessments within InCAS. A full investigation has been initiated within CEM as to how this occurred and we will ensure that measures are implemented to avoid this happening again.”
The president of the Ulster Teachers’ Union, Lexie Scott, said cash-strapped schools must not be left to bear the costs of the exam results fiasco.
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I remember going to school in the 60's/70's. The teachers gave tests throughout the year and then there were exams at the end of each term, and a more comprehensive exam at the end of the school year. There was no course work to be handed in that counted towards the final mark - the exams included questions going back over the whole years teaching. The teachers then marked the tests/exams and pupils got their results and feedback. This 'new' system seems to be flawed and obviously costs money. Perhaps if the education system looked back to that era it would learn something? I am often bewildered with young people today - they can't write/spell properly and unless it is a betting slip can't perform basic arithmetic
Posted by 2+2=? | 15.10.09, 19:01 GMT
So at the very first test of Incas, the pseudo science behind the Pupil Profile, it fails. Give parents back the 11-plus. Gavin Boyd of CCEA and now the ESA supremo must be having nightmares. Will the taxpayer get their money back for this expensive mistake?
Posted by Parental Alliance for Choice in Education | 15.10.09, 18:14 GMT
I queried my daughter's assessment breakdown of the Incas General Maths with her P7 teacher at our parent/teacher interview on Tuesday 13th October. There were no age scores for 2 of the modules. Explanation provided by the teacher was taken from CCEA Teacher Guide Book Sept09. That explanation was 'either insufficent data available or inconsistent response by pupil'. Illogical nonsense. I contacted CCEA the same day and they also tried to palm me off with the same nonsense. Eventually CCEA said send an e-mail. E-mail was sent to CCEA on 13th October. Still awaiting a reply. Are parents really expected to accept illogical, nonsensical responses from either teachers or the expert institution? Neville Chamberlain and September 1938 comes to mind with this 'Worthless piece of paper'. It was confirmed by our primary school principal that ALL Incas costs have been funded centrally. No school has had to pay for this three year Incas contract which runs from 2007-2010.
Posted by L Saunders | 15.10.09, 17:11 GMT
This error has occurred in a full time professional organization with rigorous checks and balances and substantial investment in trailing and verification of the validity of the test.
Makes you wonder what errors AQE’ are going to make!
(What are we reporting today Lads; age related scores, raw scores, weighted scores, standardised scores?)
Posted by Exasperated | 15.10.09, 14:36 GMT
A meeting of people without the authority to change anything, to address an issue created by people who abused their authority to change things, and now won't sit down to to talk to anyone else. That would be Stormont in action!
I'm so proud!
Posted by AL | 15.10.09, 14:29 GMT