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P4 Subject-Based Banding Briefing for Parents on 12 January 2019 Ms Zhang Wanqi Year Head (Primary 3 & 4) Morning With Teachers
P4 Subject-Based Banding Briefing for Parents on 12 January 2019
Ms Zhang WanqiYear Head (Primary 3 & 4)
Morning With Teachers
Before Subject-Based Banding
Late 1970s
Early 1990s
• Streaming was introduced - Normal, Extended & Monolingual, - EM1, EM2, EM3 Streams
2004 • Removal EM1 & EM2 Streams• Introduction of Merged Stream, with flexibility to offer
Higher MTL• EM3 Stream remained• Integration of EM3 with Merged Stream in non-
examinable subjects
Ø Students were grouped into distinctive streams according to their abilityØ No choice in subjects offered – either Standard or Foundation
Why Subject-Based Banding?
2008 • Removal of Merged & EM3 Streams• Introduction of Subject-Based Banding• Continuation of integration of students
ü To recognise the different abilities of students
ü To encourage every child to do the subjects at the levels that best meet his/her abilities
What Subject-Based Banding means for your child
Greater flexibility in
subject combinations offered at P5
Child to develop and proceed at his/her pace according to his/her capability
• Subjects will be offered at Standard or Foundation Level depending on child’s strengths
• Child can take a combination of Standard and Foundation Subjects
Standard & Foundation Subjects
Standard • Mastery of core content and skills
Foundation • Content and skills pitched at lower level than Standard Subjects
Should not be viewed as a softer
option
GCE ‘O’ Levels
S 5N(A)
GCE ‘N’ Levels GCE ‘N’ Levels
S 4E S 4N(A) S 4N(T)
S 3E S 3N(A) S 3N(T)
S 2E S 2N(A) S 2N(T)
S 1E S 1N(A) S 1N(T)
Express (E) NormalNormalCourse (Technical)(Academic)
PSLE
Progression Paths at Secondary School
• Lateral transfers possibleacross different course
• Students should be deemed able to cope with rigour of more demanding course, especially in numeracy & literacy
• SBB for N(A)& N(T) students in secondary schools from 2018
How does Subject-Based Banding work?
At P5Students take subject combination chosen by parents
What are the possible choices for my child?
What are the possible choices for my child?
What are the possible choices for my child?
What are the possible choices for my child?
• 4 standard subjects; or• 3 standard subjects + 1 foundation
subject; or• 2 standard subjects + 2 foundation
subjects; or• 1 standard subject + 1 foundation
subjects; or• 4 foundation subjects
What happens at the end of P5?
End of P5Student takes a subject combination determined by the school
End of P6Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE)
Students who do very well
Upgrade or continue with the same
subject combination
Students who do not meet expectations
Switch some subjects to
foundation level
All other students
Continue with the same subject combination
In summary
End of P4• School recommends a subject combination based on child’s
performance at P4 and past results, attitude and capability• Parents select the subject combination for child
End of P6Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE)
End of P5• Student takes a subject combination determined by school• No parental option
Higher Mother Tongue
� Students who take Higher Chinese at the PSLE will be given bonus points for admission to SAP schools only. Bonus points NOT added to the aggregate T-score on the result slip.
� Students who do not take Higher MTL in primary schools but do well in Standard MTL (in the top 30% of the PSLE cohort) may qualify to be offered Higher MTL in secondary schools.
Subject-Based Banding and PSLE
• Intent of SBB remains unchanged even under new PSLE scoring in 2021.
• In 2021, your child will be graded under the new PSLE Achievement Levels (AL1 to AL8)
PER SUBJECT
AL 1(BEST)
AL 2
AL 3
AL 4
AL 5
AL 6
AL 7
AL 8 (UNGRADED)
Click to this link for information on changes to the PSLE scoring and secondary one posting from 2021.
Progression to Secondary School
• Achievement Levels for the 4 subjects will be added to form the PSLE Score, which replaces the current T-score Aggregate.
• The PSLE Score ranges from 4 to 32, with 4 being the best.
• Compared to the T-score Aggregate, students are less finely differentiated.
ENGLISH
MOTHER TONGUE
MATHEMATICS
SCIENCE
AL3
AL2
AL1
AL2
PSLE SCORE: 8
Progression to Secondary School
• Progression to secondary level will depend on PSLE Score.– Every subject has an equal weighting– Different expectations of standard and foundation subjects
will be taken into account when the PSLE score is calculated
– Offering weaker subjects at foundation level is not a disadvantage. Your child will be able to focus on building up strong fundamentals in the weaker subjects
Progression to Secondary School
• Students will continue to be placed in the appropriate Secondary School courses – Express, Normal (Academic), Normal (Technical) or option bands (E/NA or NA/NT).
• More details on PSLE Posting in Jan 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions on Subject-based Banding (SBB)
Q1) Will I be able to change my child’s subject combination (e.g. drop Higher Mother Tongue Language) later on in 2020 if I feel that the selected subject combination is not suitable for him?
To ensure continuity in learning, we will NOT allow students to change their subject combinations within the academic year. Changes to subject combinations (if any) will only take place at the end of P5.
Frequently Asked Questions on Subject-based Banding (SBB)
Q2) Is it true that only students taking Higher Chinese Language (HCL) can qualify for a SAP Secondary School?
HCL is not a prerequisite for entry to SAP secondary schools. Overall PSLE results is the main consideration for entry requirement. Taking HCL does not guarantee entry into SAP schools.
Frequently Asked Questions on Subject-based Banding (SBB)
Q3) Is there any impact on my child’s learning if I choose HMTL for my child when it is not recommended by the school?HMTL requires addition curriculum time outside of official school hours. In 2019, HMTL compulsory lessons is held every Tuesday from 2pm -3.30pm. P5 Science remedial lessons also takes place on Tuesdays, from 2.45pm to 3.30pm. By virtue of their overall performance, students recommended by school to take HMTL will not be required to attend Science remediation. However, if you choose HMTL for your child when it is not recommended by the school, he may miss Science remediation should he need additional support in this subject area.
Frequently Asked Questions on Subject-based Banding (SBB)
Q4) Will it be a disadvantage to my child if he takes up subjects at Foundation level?
Offering subjects at the foundation level is not a disadvantage to your child. It is important to recognize the different abilities of students and pitch learning at the appropriate levels. Taking up foundation subjects as recommended by the school enables him to focus on building up strong fundamentals in these subjects and better prepares him for progression to secondary school.
How you can support your child
• Know your child’s strengths and interests• Many forms of success in different domains.
– Many paths and new possibilities in our education system– Go beyond grades. Commend your child for his/her effort &
progress.
• Foster the Joy of Learning in our children so that they can be life-long learners
