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The Society for the Advancement of Excellence in Education provides non-partisan education research and information to policy-makers, education partners and the public. Our purpose is to encourage higher performance throughout Canada's public education system.
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Report on Assessment Released
[ June 11, 2001 ] A comprehensive look at how learning is measured in Canadian classrooms is
being released today. The report was prepared by Dr. Alan Taylor, an internationally
recognized expert on testing and measurement. Dr. Taylor is the National Research
Coordinator for Canada in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), a
major assessment involving more than 40 countries.
Student Assessment in Canada provides answers to many controversial questions
around the purpose and uses of student testing. As a national survey of current assessment
practices, it is expected to have value for school boards, education departments and
educators concerned with measuring educational progress in a global economy.
The report compares the various provincial and national assessment systems through
interviews and surveys with education officials. It contrasts testing in Canada with other
countries. It examines emerging assessment technologies, including value-added measurement
and computer-assisted testing. The role of assessment, common criticisms of testing and
the shortcomings of current practice are also appraised. The report includes case studies
from Alberta, Quebec and Ontario illustrating how assessment is being used to achieve
improvements in teaching and learning.
"Testing is not going away in today's climate of accountability. We need to learn
to use it skillfully," said Taylor. "Assessment is too vital a component of the
teaching-learning process to be left to chance. It must be a planned procedure, based on
both objective and subjective measures at different levels of the educational system, used
for different purposes. Without the right measures and appropriate interpretation of
results, planning for effective growth at student, school, and system levels is a
"hit or miss" undertaking."
The report, co-authored by Dr. Teresita-Salve Tubianosa, concludes with recommendations
for a balanced model of assessment designed to improve teaching and learning in Canadian
classrooms. The study was commissioned by the Society for the Advancement of Excellence in
Education (SAEE), an independent non-profit Canadian education research centre.
Copies of the 98-page study may be ordered from SAEE.
For further information: Dr. Alan Taylor
Raven Research Associates Tel:
(604) 434-6315
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