Twinkies:

Do away with the hearsay ?

Not hearsay but it was published previously in the newspaper. Newspaper can report something that is not true meh?

Please share more to clarify the situation then

jtoh:

Melodies:

[quote=\"jtoh\"]

I refer to your statement above, highlighted in red. How are these JCs discriminating against good students? It's demand and supply of places available in a JC, any JC. ALL students can use their bonus points up to a max of 4 points (2 for CCA, 2 for affliation, 2 for HMT) for entry into ANY JC. Some JCs are deemed more popular than others and hence are more popular, driving the COP down. There's no discrimination. A matter of economics. Demand and supply.

Have you considered the situation that some schools are already filled up with existing IP students and have no vacancy for those bright students who have scored well in O level? It is true to some extent.

I'm well aware of the situation of IP schools. Are you? Do you know the number of vacancies available at each JC for O level intake? The number of vacancies available at these top JCs number in the HUNDREDS EACH, as much as other JCs which have affliated students or who are not IP. In other words, there are plenty of vacancies at these top JCs. You just have to be the best to get in bec all the top O students want in as well.[/quote]Are you saying 'The number of vacancies available at these top JCs number in the HUNDREDS EACH for those O level students to get into these top JCs (then, will be thousands vacancies in those top JCs since so many JCs)? You sure? Why so many O level students cried foul every year. some said, they got low point for O level still can't get in RI ? huh? :? :? :?

I'm interested to know the situation as I don't have dc who has done O level.

GLORYmum:

Melodies:

[quote=\"cherryc\"]By Lee Wei Ling


That the PSLE now causes so much stress is largely because the results are presented not only as grades for each subject but also as a T-score - an aggregate score derived from comparison with the scores of all the other candidates. The T-score feels like a psychological threat because admission to a school of one's choice is decided mainly, although not solely, by it.

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There are ways to make the differentiation of the results less precise, hence less stressful. Currently, posting to secondary schools is based on the aggregate T-score taken to two decimal places! If we could have a system where candidates are divided into bands (for example, between 130 and 140), with those scoring above a certain range (say 250 or 260) corresponding to the top decile of students, there would be no need to differentiate them further.
This idea is fantastic!
It will be good that all PSLE results are divided into different band groups such that A* with those scoring top 1-3% (can be determined by T-score but blackout the T-score), A1 group for those scoring top 3%-10%, A2 group for those scoring top 10-20%, B group for those scoring to 20%-40% and C for those scoring top 40-60% and so on and so forth...

For the purpose of posting, all students within the same band would stand an equal chance of getting into particular schools. If there were more applicants than places available in those schools, entry might be based on balloting. Such a procedure would have the advantage of spreading out talented students among a larger group of schools than now. Now, all schools are truly good schools

At present, academically strong students are accepted into a limited number of elite schools. They tend to come from middle-class or upper middle-class homes. As a result, they are unaware that many Singaporean students come from poorer homes, have to do housework and may also have to help out at hawker stalls or do other odd jobs to supplement the family income.


For purpose of posting, instead of putting all students within the same band into the same particular schools, I'm thinking of every school in Singapore offers enrollment for these 5 bands (e.g. ranging from A* to C group for schools offer express classes). If there were more applicants than places available in those schools, entry might be based on distance and balloting. Such a procedure would have the advantage of spreading out talented students to all schools and we will have students from all walks of life - achieve diversity goal and our dc will benefit from this.

Still, I believe the PSLE serves a purpose. First, the T-score is an objective measure to help place students in a variety of schools according to their academic ability. Second, it also helps us channel students into the stream most appropriate for them - Express, Normal (Academic), Normal (Technical) and so on.

Yes, the examination will cause some stress no matter what we do. But a little stress is not a bad thing. After all, we will all encounter some stress some time in our lives. We might as well get used to it while we are young.

I fully agree! Some stress is good to drive people to work hard but not to the current extend of having our poor dc study all the time until no time for others.

The writer is director of the National Neuroscience Institute.

Those highlighted in green (above) are my suggestion. What is your take for the purpose of discussion?

Abolish banding of sec school but band the students instead ??[/quote]Isnt it still better than the current force ranking system for every child that give a psychological threat to every child? Anyway, they getting used to those A*, A, B kind of grading in primary schools anyway..

jtoh:

sinoboy:

Ok you win.

Hope we don't see newcomers flooding our school system at the expense of the locals. Hope changes can be made to entering schools with a lower than COP score using DSA for GEP, IP program in some JCs that discriminate against good students by asking for 3 points with 6 subjects. :scratchhead:

If not the children slowly crawl their way up to uni in ITE or Poly .. provided they don't pick up bad habits and fall by the wayside in the process. The kids can take the easier IB route, but not sure our kids are suitable for that system.

Sweeping changes are required, but with lots of defensive stance from either ignorance or vested interests, but I'm not sure if any non-superficial changes will ever be made. I'm out of here for good.

I refer to your statement above, highlighted in red. How are these JCs discriminating against good students? It's demand and supply of places available in a JC, any JC. ALL students can use their bonus points up to a max of 4 points (2 for CCA, 2 for affliation, 2 for HMT) for entry into ANY JC. Some JCs are deemed more popular than others and hence are more popular, driving the COP down. There's no discrimination. A matter of economics. Demand and supply.

Have you considered the situation that some schools are already filled up with existing IP students and have no vacancy for those bright students who have scored well in O level? It is true to some extent.

cherryc:

By Lee Wei Ling


That the PSLE now causes so much stress is largely because the results are presented not only as grades for each subject but also as a T-score - an aggregate score derived from comparison with the scores of all the other candidates. The T-score feels like a psychological threat because admission to a school of one's choice is decided mainly, although not solely, by it.

------------------------------------------------------
-------------
There are ways to make the differentiation of the results less precise, hence less stressful. Currently, posting to secondary schools is based on the aggregate T-score taken to two decimal places! If we could have a system where candidates are divided into bands (for example, between 130 and 140), with those scoring above a certain range (say 250 or 260) corresponding to the top decile of students, there would be no need to differentiate them further.
This idea is fantastic!
It will be good that all PSLE results are divided into different band groups such that A* with those scoring top 1-3% (can be determined by T-score but blackout the T-score), A1 group for those scoring top 3%-10%, A2 group for those scoring top 10-20%, B group for those scoring to 20%-40% and C for those scoring top 40-60% and so on and so forth...

For the purpose of posting, all students within the same band would stand an equal chance of getting into particular schools. If there were more applicants than places available in those schools, entry might be based on balloting. Such a procedure would have the advantage of spreading out talented students among a larger group of schools than now. Now, all schools are truly good schools

At present, academically strong students are accepted into a limited number of elite schools. They tend to come from middle-class or upper middle-class homes. As a result, they are unaware that many Singaporean students come from poorer homes, have to do housework and may also have to help out at hawker stalls or do other odd jobs to supplement the family income.


For purpose of posting, instead of putting all students within the same band into the same particular schools, I'm thinking of every school in Singapore offers enrollment for these 5 bands (e.g. ranging from A* to C group for schools offer express classes). If there were more applicants than places available in those schools, entry might be based on distance and balloting. Such a procedure would have the advantage of spreading out talented students to all schools and we will have students from all walks of life - achieve diversity goal and our dc will benefit from this. Those late boomer will also have some rooms to make it to the top class together with those academically strong studetns

Still, I believe the PSLE serves a purpose. First, the T-score is an objective measure to help place students in a variety of schools according to their academic ability. Second, it also helps us channel students into the stream most appropriate for them - Express, Normal (Academic), Normal (Technical) and so on.

Yes, the examination will cause some stress no matter what we do. But a little stress is not a bad thing. After all, we will all encounter some stress some time in our lives. We might as well get used to it while we are young.

I fully agree! Some stress is good to drive people to work hard but not to the current extend of having our poor dc study all the time until no time for others.

The writer is director of the National Neuroscience Institute.

Those highlighted in green (above) are my suggestion. What is your take for the purpose of discussion?

ks2011:

EESIS is offered to the top 3% of the cohort. It is reflected in your psle slip. It is only given to the Singaporean students within the top 3%. Even if you qualify, you can only use it in IS schools since the school fees in these schools are higher.

Care to share where did you get the info of eesis is offered to top 3% of the cohort? Tks!

pirate:

Melodies:

I am quoting an example (The young man with 4 distinctions n many other attributes ) that I know. He is from middle income without tuition n with all the non-academics activities that all done in school. No external helps at all.

I know. I am just being notti here. :evil:
[quote]They are still possible to achieve yesteryear n now but I am not sure if it is still possible tomorrow.

Honestly, I don't see what has changed so much with our educational system that it is no longer possible.[/quote]My experience is that some kids without having prior exposure externally may not be selected in all those popular CC A in pri school. Those who has prior exposure will have advantages over them. This case is getting more common nowsaday la. Some parents may want to share more......

pirate:

Melodies:

Already happened, don't need to wonder, PSC does measure the non-academic attributes. I have seen students with 4 Distinctions with outstanding non-academic attributes were awarded psc scholarship over those with much more distinctions . Cannot be too low until 3B la. 4 distinctions r already very common in top schools.

But why must have 4 Distinctions? 3B very low meh? Passing grade is E, you know? How not to be stressed?

And how to get good results in non-academic things like sports, arts etc when the playing field is not even because the elites can afford professional coaching and lessons for their kids?

I am quoting an example (The young man with 4 distinctions n many other attributes ) that I know. He is from middle income without tuition n with all the non-academics activities which r all done in school. No external helps at all.

It's still possible to achieve yesteryear n now but I am not sure if it is still possible tomorrow.

octoberbaby:

pirate:

This is just populist hogwash to placate the disgruntled voters. To change the direction to \"not overemphasize on academic results only\" would require more than the MOE. For starters, it requires the Prime Minister's Office to get on board. What MOE does by itself will come to nought if the the Public Service Commission still picks scholars and recruits officers for the Administrative Service based primarily on academic results. It will not change anything unless different career tracks for scholars and admin service officers are scrapped.

But believe me, if this happens, parents will be wondering how the PSC measures the non-academic attributes. How do you assign a score to measure objectively and vigourously \"compassion, character, attitude and values\"?

I wait for the day when Singapore gives out a President's Scholarship to somebody who only manages to score 3 Bs solely on the basis of \"extraordinary strength in compassion, character, attitude and values\". Then we will really see the crap hit the fan.

But, if burying one's head in the sand helps to relieve stress for some parents...

PSC is still using academic results to choose their scholars.

Already happened, don't need to wonder, PSC does measure the non-academic attributes. I have seen students with 4 Distinctions with outstanding non-academic attributes were awarded psc scholarship over those with much more distinctions . Cannot be too low until 3B la. 4 distinctions r already very common in top schools.

SAHM_TAN:

I keep reading abt envy mindset.


I'm curious, parents who are not agreeable to DSA, GEP, are you jealous?

I used to think like you and my ears were shut and not listening n went all the way to brush people off. When I open my ears, my hearts open. I open to the world that I have never been.