School Examinations Too Difficult
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starrysky321:
Stop assigning blame.singapore education std seems to be on the increase but uk GCSE and A-level difficulty seems to be falling never-ending.
maybe we the parents are one of key parties to be blamed, from few months old we already explore our kids to all kind of brain training and enrichment courses, when they get into primary we hire private tuition irregardless of their ability, if they are weak more tuition, if they are strong still more tuition but on advanced level, the list goes on and on. If the young ones are already equipped with such a vast amount of knowledge, the schools and educational teams must upgrade the secondary school to even higher standard in order to bridge the transition from primary school smoothly. so maybe in 20 years time the university lectures materials will be used in secondary schools...
Everyone is to blame. Even MOE. At this point, it is important to find a solution, not assign blame. MOE needs to co-ordinate a solution unless it expects parents to do the co-ordination. If parents band together in civic action to co-ordinate improvements to MOE, then why are we paying people with tax funds to run MOE?
The point is NOT who is to blame. The point is who is the logical party to co-ordinate a fix. -
Let's rethink the scoring system
Letter from Peter Heng Teck Wee 04:45 AM May 04, 2012 (TODAY)
[quote]I agree with the points made by Mr Ian Tan in \"Standards are unrealistic\" (May 2). Our primary school system appears to be slowly but inexorably moving towards the South Korean model, where it is customary for children to head for \"hagwons\" (private tuition centres) after they finish with school for the day. The obsession with grades in South Korea has reached the point whereby Seoul had to impose a 10pm curfew on \"hagwons\" so that children could get adequate rest.
On its own, tuition serves a useful function by supplementing the public school system. The problem arises when curriculum is designed such that tuition becomes essential rather than additional.
If this is allowed to happen, one of the key underpinnings, meritocracy, of the education system would be undermined, as those whose parents can afford quality tuition would gain an unfair advantage over their peers. The tuition problem is compounded when the school admission system is score-based. Such a system motivates pupils to over-study so as to exceed a particular cut-off score.
As pupils try harder to beat the system, educators are compelled to stretch the curriculum's breadth and depth just to maintain status quo. Over time, the competition between pupils and educators to stay ahead of the other develops into a vicious cycle and creates a cramming culture.
The authorities should consider replacing the existing scoring system with a banding and balloting system, in which secondary schools and pupils are allocated a band (band 1, 2, etc). School admission would depend on the band a pupil attains at the Primary School Leaving Examination.
If eligible applications exceed the number of places available at a school, balloting takes place. Unsuccessful applicants would be given priority in their second school of choice.
A banding system would preserve meritocracy without encouraging unhealthy competition. Replacing absolute scores with bands takes away the pressure on pupils to over-study and allows curriculum to be designed around the average and not the top pupils.
Band-based admission may also create a more level playing field by allowing schools within the same band to access the same pool of students and vice versa.
Two decades ago, I attained a PSLE score of 275. Since then, no employer has asked me for my primary school results.
Rightfully so, for social and critical thinking skills are far more relevant to today's economy than the ability to memorise and do well on standardised tests. If our children could spend less time on studying, they would be in a better position to develop these valuable skills and Singapore would benefit.
The writer is 32 years old.[/quote]OK, where my *hug* & *smooch*
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Nebbermind:
OK, where my *hug* & *smooch*Let's rethink the scoring system
Letter from Peter Heng Teck Wee 04:45 AM May 04, 2012 (TODAY)
[quote]I agree with the points made by Mr Ian Tan in \"Standards are unrealistic\" (May 2). Our primary school system appears to be slowly but inexorably moving towards the South Korean model, where it is customary for children to head for \"hagwons\" (private tuition centres) after they finish with school for the day. The obsession with grades in South Korea has reached the point whereby Seoul had to impose a 10pm curfew on \"hagwons\" so that children could get adequate rest.
On its own, tuition serves a useful function by supplementing the public school system. The problem arises when curriculum is designed such that tuition becomes essential rather than additional.
If this is allowed to happen, one of the key underpinnings, meritocracy, of the education system would be undermined, as those whose parents can afford quality tuition would gain an unfair advantage over their peers. The tuition problem is compounded when the school admission system is score-based. Such a system motivates pupils to over-study so as to exceed a particular cut-off score.
As pupils try harder to beat the system, educators are compelled to stretch the curriculum's breadth and depth just to maintain status quo. Over time, the competition between pupils and educators to stay ahead of the other develops into a vicious cycle and creates a cramming culture.
The authorities should consider replacing the existing scoring system with a banding and balloting system, in which secondary schools and pupils are allocated a band (band 1, 2, etc). School admission would depend on the band a pupil attains at the Primary School Leaving Examination.
If eligible applications exceed the number of places available at a school, balloting takes place. Unsuccessful applicants would be given priority in their second school of choice.
A banding system would preserve meritocracy without encouraging unhealthy competition. Replacing absolute scores with bands takes away the pressure on pupils to over-study and allows curriculum to be designed around the average and not the top pupils.
Band-based admission may also create a more level playing field by allowing schools within the same band to access the same pool of students and vice versa.
Two decades ago, I attained a PSLE score of 275. Since then, no employer has asked me for my primary school results.
Rightfully so, for social and critical thinking skills are far more relevant to today's economy than the ability to memorise and do well on standardised tests. If our children could spend less time on studying, they would be in a better position to develop these valuable skills and Singapore would benefit.
The writer is 32 years old.[/quote]Man! The power of operant conditioning is again demonstrated!!
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Abolish PSLE and streaming for a better education system?
At the IPS discussion, Straughan also proposed radical changes to Singapore’s education system.
For example, she suggested scrapping the primary school leaving examination (PSLE), as well as streaming, and replace it with a 12-year primary and secondary school system (six years each) that focus on imparting learning techniques.
“Get rid of PSLE, get rid of streaming. Let the child go into school at Primary 1 and enjoy learning all the way through to the entrance exams into university,” she said. “I think that will be a major transformation for parenting in Singapore.”
The other changes Straughan called for include doing away with tuition and for a review to be done to ease the pressure on school teachers.
Commenting on these measures, Arthur Foo, a young father of two, said he would be supportive of such changes if they allow children to experience more holistic development instead of simply focusing on academic intelligence.
“I think our children are acculturated to be exam-smart but not as street-smart as those in countries where academic achievement is not the only route to success,” he said, noting, however, that a suitable alternative to Singapore’s practice of selection by meritocracy must be found before the changes can be made.
What is your take on this? I think the banding system is more worth considering. If PSLE really abolished, I'm worried that secondary schools will find other ways to test and grade our children, and it may create other type of stress for students and parents. -
This animate was adapted from a talk given at the RSA by Sir Ken Robinson, world-renowned education and creativity expert and recipient of the RSA's Benjamin Franklin award.
Interesting ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U&feature=player_embedded#! -
starrysky321:
Hi starrysky321singapore education std seems to be on the increase but uk GCSE and A-level difficulty seems to be falling never-ending.
maybe we the parents are one of key parties to be blamed, from few months old we already explore our kids to all kind of brain training and enrichment courses, when they get into primary we hire private tuition irregardless of their ability, if they are weak more tuition, if they are strong still more tuition but on advanced level, the list goes on and on. If the young ones are already equipped with such a vast amount of knowledge, the schools and educational teams must upgrade the secondary school to even higher standard in order to bridge the transition from primary school smoothly. so maybe in 20 years time the university lectures materials will be used in secondary schools...
You are right about UK GCSEs and A Levels. The hitherto level of rigour is MUCH less than Singapore O & A Levels (when infact our quals and your quals are designed here in the UK). We have had increased grade inflation here in the UK for the last 30 years.
Now they are looking to bring back the rigour of the 60s and 70s starting with the Year 10 cohort (that starts its two year GCSE journey starting 2014) and Year 12 cohort that starts A Levels in the same year too.
Pretty soon, about 10 to 15 years, I would not be surprised if we in the UK returned back to our pre-80s gold standard education - that could drive us to the top of PISA standings. The structure of the NC is in place with various Key Stages; it just now needs more robust content to be taught. -
lim72:
I don't agree with this. This is the easy way out. After teaching my son for 2 years, I think the PSLE standards are not BEYOND the ability of our kids to learn. It is however beyond the ability of the schools to teach because...Abolish PSLE and streaming for a better education system?
At the IPS discussion, Straughan also proposed radical changes to Singapore’s education system.
For example, she suggested scrapping the primary school leaving examination (PSLE), as well as streaming, and replace it with a 12-year primary and secondary school system (six years each) that focus on imparting learning techniques.
“Get rid of PSLE, get rid of streaming. Let the child go into school at Primary 1 and enjoy learning all the way through to the entrance exams into university,” she said. “I think that will be a major transformation for parenting in Singapore.”
The other changes Straughan called for include doing away with tuition and for a review to be done to ease the pressure on school teachers.
Commenting on these measures, Arthur Foo, a young father of two, said he would be supportive of such changes if they allow children to experience more holistic development instead of simply focusing on academic intelligence.
“I think our children are acculturated to be exam-smart but not as street-smart as those in countries where academic achievement is not the only route to success,” he said, noting, however, that a suitable alternative to Singapore’s practice of selection by meritocracy must be found before the changes can be made.
What is your take on this? I think the banding system is more worth considering. If PSLE really abolished, I'm worried that secondary schools will find other ways to test and grade our children, and it may create other type of stress for students and parents.
(1) Teachers' English is not up to par
(2) Teachers don't dare to attempt math problems set by other schools
(3) Teachers have no time to mark the quantity of practices kids need
(4) Teachers have no good textbooks to teach with -
Chenonceau:
I can't get access into the petition I wrote. I've written an email to the Tech Support. Will keep you all posted.
I go find out and revert... wait ah...lydia_chin:
Meanwhile... why not sign this petition? http://www.petitiononline.com/SgEd2011/petition.html
Hi chen, I try to sign the petition but not successful, wonder what's the problem? :? -
Chenonceau:
:goodpost: Teachers using the answer sheet to give the kids' the answer.They usually just flash in the projector and the kids just copy answer without understanding
I don't agree with this. This is the easy way out. After teaching my son for 2 years, I think the PSLE standards are not BEYOND the ability of our kids to learn. It is however beyond the ability of the schools to teach because...lim72:
Abolish PSLE and streaming for a better education system?
At the IPS discussion, Straughan also proposed radical changes to Singapore’s education system.
For example, she suggested scrapping the primary school leaving examination (PSLE), as well as streaming, and replace it with a 12-year primary and secondary school system (six years each) that focus on imparting learning techniques.
“Get rid of PSLE, get rid of streaming. Let the child go into school at Primary 1 and enjoy learning all the way through to the entrance exams into university,” she said. “I think that will be a major transformation for parenting in Singapore.”
The other changes Straughan called for include doing away with tuition and for a review to be done to ease the pressure on school teachers.
Commenting on these measures, Arthur Foo, a young father of two, said he would be supportive of such changes if they allow children to experience more holistic development instead of simply focusing on academic intelligence.
“I think our children are acculturated to be exam-smart but not as street-smart as those in countries where academic achievement is not the only route to success,” he said, noting, however, that a suitable alternative to Singapore’s practice of selection by meritocracy must be found before the changes can be made.
What is your take on this? I think the banding system is more worth considering. If PSLE really abolished, I'm worried that secondary schools will find other ways to test and grade our children, and it may create other type of stress for students and parents.
(1) Teachers' English is not up to par
(2) Teachers don't dare to attempt math problems set by other schools
(3) Teachers have no time to mark the quantity of practices kids need
(4) Teachers have no good textbooks to teach with
-
Interesting?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U
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