Vice Minister of Education Shynar Akparova explained the updated grading system for students in grades 2-4 starting from the new school year. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
In the new school year, the grading system in grade 1 will remain unchanged, while grades 2-4 will see changes in the formative assessment procedure. Instead of BJB and TJB, interim assessment will be introduced.
How will formative assessment change?
Previously, a formative score was sometimes given to a student based on work at a specific stage of the lesson, such as completing homework or successfully completing a particular task. Now, the teacher will take into account not just one task, but the entire learning activity from the beginning to the end of the lesson.
"That is, tasks completed at each stage of the lesson, the student's answers, work results, and the extent to which the learning goal was achieved will be taken into account, and based on this, a common formative score will be given. Thus, formative assessment will be aimed at showing not a one-time result, but the overall learning activity during the lesson," said Akparova at a briefing in Astana.
According to the Vice Minister, if 30 lessons are held in one subject per quarter, each student must receive a formative score in at least 9 lessons. The teacher can assess the student more often if necessary.
How is interim assessment conducted?
While formative assessment shows the student's daily academic performance, interim assessment summarizes the knowledge and skills acquired after completing a certain section or sections. The main types of interim assessment are: dictation, test work, essay, and summary. Such works are conducted as one of the main types of interim assessment, and a full lesson time of 45 minutes is given to complete them.
"Interim assessment is not limited to writing dictations or solving problems. It will include tasks aimed at determining reading and mathematical literacy, working with information, analysis, drawing conclusions, and applying acquired knowledge in practical situations. In language subjects, listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills will also be taken into account," says Akparova.
Works in language subjects and mathematics are performed not on pre-prepared templates or answer sheets, but in the student's own notebook. This allows the student to complete the task independently without relying on a ready-made sample, develop writing culture, write competently, and show the solution path and order of work.
Assessment points
The maximum score for interim assessment: in grade 2 – up to 12 points; in grade 3 – up to 14 points; in grade 4 – up to 16 points. The maximum score of the work is determined based on the number, content, and complexity level of tasks.
"Also, the teacher will have less need to develop individual answer sheets or ready-made forms for each assessment work. Work done in a notebook allows the teacher to see not only the final answer, but also how the student completed the task, where they had difficulties, and what skills need further development," noted the Vice Minister.
Grading in all subjects
Previously, no grades were given in the subjects "Digital Literacy and Artificial Intelligence," "Labor Education," "Fine Arts," "Music," and "Physical Education." Starting from the new school year, formative assessment will be conducted in these subjects, and interim assessment will be held once per quarter.
"This will not increase the number of additional written tests. On the contrary, it will be based on the results of practical, creative, project, research, sports, individual, and team works performed during the lesson in accordance with the specifics of the subject," Akparova concluded.