SMK BUKIT JAMBUL PULAU PINANG

SCHOOL-BASED ASSESSMENT

-An Overview

By

Lim Seng Leong

What is SBA?Assessment that is planned, administered,

scored and reported by the school.MES prepares instruments pertaining to

standards, criteria, guidelines and regulations.

Aims to enable candidates to measure their mastery of knowledge, skills and values against fixed criteria.

Enables candidates to improve on their achievements.

ConceptsPlanned at school level : refers to the planning

on students to be assessed, when the assessment is to be carried out, the frequency of assessment, the persons involved in the assessment, the selection and construction of assessment instruments, scoring, grading and reporting/recording done by the school based on the SBA guide of the subjects concerned.

ConceptsAdministered at school level : refers to the

effort of collecting assessed information by the teacher assessors who are also involved in the students’ learning and the management (collection) of evidences.

ConceptsScoring at school level : refers to the process

of awarding scores to the items assessed based on a scoring scheme.

ConceptsReporting/recording at school level : refers to

the summarising/simplification of scores by the teacher assessor to obtain students’ achievement levels. This is done based on simplification principles in line with stipulated grading rules.

ConceptsFixed framework : refers to the principles

and concept of School Based Assessment.

ConceptsModerated : refers to efforts to ensure every

student is assessed based on the same subjects/items/topics.

Coordinating and monitoring mechanisms are in place to increase the validity of assessment scores to ensure quality.

ConceptsValidity : refers to the extent in which the

assessment scores reflect the sufficiency and relevancy of topics/items assessed. This is determined by ensuring that the topics/items assessed are covered in the Syllabus Specifications.

ConceptsReliability : refers to the extent of the

accuracy and robustness of test scores. Both validity and reliability of test scores are ensured through the implementation of coordinating and monitoring mechanisms.

ConceptsPositive reporting/records : scores reported

shows students’ level of mastery/understanding and this can be improved and raised from time to time.

SBA ComponentsProjects - Candidates carry out

tasks/assignments in school - MES supplies guidelines - MES/SED/DEO appoints

monitors/coordinators - Scores and reporting by school - Marks (scores) sent to MES - School issues certificates

SBA ComponentsCoursework/Science Practical (PEKA) - Candidates carry out tasks/assignments in school handled by teachers during teaching and learning

(during lessons) - MES supplies guidelines - MES/SED/DEO appoints monitors/coordinators - Scoring and reporting by school - Marks (scores) sent to MES - School issues certificates

SBA ComponentSchool Based Oral Test (SBOT/ULBS) - Candidates are assessed on their oral skills

through a variety of contexts during teaching and learning (lessons). - MES supplies guidelines - MES/SED/DEO appoints monitors/coordinators - Scoring and reporting by school - Marks (scores) sent to MES - School issues certificates

SBA ComponentSchool Based Oral Assessment (SBOA/PLBS) - Candidates are assessed on their oral skills

through a variety of contexts during actual teaching and learning (lessons) - MES supplies guidelines - MES/SED/DEO appoints monitors/coordinators - Scoring and reporting by school - Marks (scores) sent to MES - School issues certificates

SBA ComponentModules - Candidates are assessed on their competencies

according to specifications - MES supplies assessment modules as

guidelines - MES/SED/DEO appoints monitors/coordinators - Scoring and reporting by school - Scores (marks) sent to MES - School/MES issues certificates

SBA Implementation PolicyImplementation is administered according to the

power vested on the Examinations Director under the Education Act 1996 (Act 550), Section 67, 68 and 69

School ensures that the physical and infrastructural requirements are met before offering the subjects with SBA components.

School applies for approval from the State Education Director 2 years before intended offering of such subjects.

School is responsible for ensuring that scores given to candidates are valid and based on authentic evidence (s).

SBA Implementation PolicySchool is responsible for the safety of candidates’ evidence

including those of shifted/moved candidatesSchool is responsible for the safety of candidates’ scores

including the sending of scores to MES It is compulsory for all candidates registered for subjects

with SBA component to be assessed on it, including repeat candidates.

Students who are not assessed will be considered to be absent. The school can apply for exemptions from the State Director of Education by forwarding supporting documents.

SBA Implementation PolicyCandidates who change centers must choose

schools that offer the subjects concerned. The candidate’s former school is responsible to deliver all assessment materials and documents to the new school.

The candidate is to be assessed based on the terms stipulated for the subject (s) concerned

Characteristics of SBA1 Compatible with the needs of the curriculum - Takes into consideration the skills, attitudes and values intended

to be disseminated in teaching and learning (lessons)

2 Student-centred - Activities are devised/made by the candidates. Scores are based

on a set of criteria, not relative of other candidates.

3 Flexibility - not rigid in terms of schedule, place and method – students are assessed when they are ready.

4 Character-centred - Instills aspects of good values

Characteristics of SBA5 Transparent and Open - Candidates have a chance to know the “what, when, how and where” of their assessment.

6 Implementable and Systematic - Format takes into account the systematic administering of

aspects of the assessment.

7 Varieties of Instruments - enable wide coverage and sufficient evidence (s) to ensure

correct representation of student achievement.

8 Formative and on-going (continuing) - Candidates are given chances to improve on scores

Characteristics of SBA9 Has Scores - Scores have high validity and reliability if carried out

according to stipulated procedures

10 Positive Reporting - Scores are reported to encourage students to improve

their level of mastery from time to time

11 Continuous Monitoring and Coordinating - to ensure that SBA is carried out according to

procedures stipulated

Assessment Planning1 Planning - Detailed planning is carried out between MES, State

Education Department and appointed SBA implementers

2 Penataran - Penataran is the exposure about concepts, framework

dan SBA policies to the parties involved in its implementation,

such as school administrator, monitors, coordinators, school

assessors and students

Assessment Planning3 Assessment Implementation - SBA implementation is the interpretation of things/items

to be assessed according to stipulated procedures in the

Assessment Format Book.

4 Coordination - a process to ensure SBA assessment is carried out

correctly and uniformly in terms of adherence to scoring rules, use of

scoring rules and giving of scores.

Assessment Planning5 Monitoring - a process to obtain information and to ensure SBA

program is carried out according to stipulated procedures.

6 Identifying - a process to evaluate the SBA programme in terms of

objective fulfillment, strengths and weaknesses as well as its

impact.

Assessment Planning 7 Report - Coordinators, monitors and the State Education

Department will make reports about the implementation of SBA to

add value.

SBA AdministrationNational-Level CommitteeState-Level CommitteeDistrict-Level CommitteeSchool-Level Committee

National-Level CommitteeAdvisor : Education DirectorChairman : Deputy Director of Examination

(Operations)Vice Chairman : Head of SPPMALNSecretary : KPP SPPMALNCommittee members : All subject officers

National Chief Assessor

State-Level CommitteeAdvisor : State Education DirectorChairman : Deputy State Education DirectorVice-Chairman 1 Head of Academic Management SectorVice-Chairman 2 Head of Assessment and Examination SectorSecretary 1 : KPP Assessment and ExaminationSecretary 2: KPP Academic ManagementCommittee Members: Chief of State Inspectorate Board

Head of Islamic Education Sector Deputy Director Evaluation and Examinations Assistant Director of Science and Mathematics Assistant Director for Technical and Vocational Assistant Director for Social Science and

Humanities Deputy Director of Language

All District Education Officers National Chief Assesor State Chief Assessor

District-Level CommitteeChairman : District Education OfficerSecretary : Assistant DEO (Academic)Committee members : Assistant DEO (Technical and

Vocational) Assistant DEO (Language) Assistant DEO (Science and

Mathematics) Assistant DEO (Islamic and Moral

Studies)Assistant DEO (Social Science and

Humanities) Assistant DEO (Examinations)

All principalsState Chief AssesorRegional Chief AssessorRegional AssessorsSchool Chief Assessor

School-Level CommitteeChairman : Principal/HeadmasterVice-Chairman : Senior Assistant for

Academic AffairsSecretary : Examinations SecretaryAssistant Secretary : Examinations Assistant

SecretaryCommittee Members : Senior Teachers

Panel Chiefs “Excellent” Teachers

School Chief Assessor

Duties and Responsibilities of SchoolBefore Assessment

Receives SBA notice from SEDReceives SBA documents from SEDForms School SBA CommitteeAppoints Chief School Assessors for each subjectDuplicates copies of SBA documents for assessors’ usePrepares SBA Implementation ScheduleProvides adequate materials, equipment and space.Names/Appoints assessors amongst subject teachers –

plays role in managing all affairs regarding assessment.Briefs candidates. Ensures all students/candidates have a SBA file

Duties and Responsibilities of SchoolDuring Assessment

Assessment is carried out during learning/teaching (lessons)

Internal CoordinationInternal MonitoringAssessor records scores in BSI (Individual Score

Sheet)Assessor keeps evidences safelyAssessor informs candidates of their scores and

obtain their signatures.Assessor transfers mark scores from BSI to

master score sheet.

Duties and responsibilities of SchoolAfter Assessment

The individual score sheet and Master Score Sheet are checked and confirmed by Principal and kept in school.

Examinations Secretary ensures that assessors enter marks into MES computer applications.

Examinations Secretary and assessors check marks entered into MES computer applications.

Examinations Secretary hands over printed List of Overall Scores to principal for confirmation.

Issues SBA certificates/achievement slips

SBA ImplementationAssessment Personnels

National Chief AssessorState Chief AssessorChief Regional AssessorRegional AssessorSchool Chief AssessorSchool Assessor

SBA ImplementationChief National Assessor

Appointed by MESTrained teacherOption related/compatible with subjectConfirmed in position Experienced

SBA ImplementationState Chief Assessor

Appointed by SEDTrained teacherOption related/compatible with subjectConfirmed in positionExperienced

SBA ImplementationChief Regional Assessor/Regional Assessor

Appointed by SEDTrained teacherOption related/compatible with subjectExperiencedConfirmed in position

SBA ImplementationSchool Chief Assessor

Appointed by Principal/HeadmasterTrained teacherRelated subject-optionedIf not subject-optioned, must have taught the

subject concerned for at least three consecutive years.

Confirmed in position

Duties of the School AssessorBefore assessment

Attends regional and school level coordination meetings

Responsible to brief and explain assessment to candidates

Duties of the School AssessorDuring Assessment

Guides and helps candidates to improve on their performance

Assess candidatesFills individual scoring sheets and all related

forms.Cooperates with state/regional assessors in all

coordination matters.

Duties of the School AssessorAfter Assessment

Re-assess students’ work if there are changes after coordinations by state/regional assessors.

Hands over scores to Examinations secretary.Keeps records and evidences in safe place for

six months after reporting of scores.Prepares report for regional assessors.Ensures that individual score sheets are sent to

the new schools of any transferred students.Solves special cases

Special Cases

IssuesTemporary teachers are allowed to assess students on

condition they are trained to do so.Assessors claim that there are schools that send

uncoordinated marks to MES.Assessors request that schools obtain oath letters

from parents of students who do not undergo SBA asessments.

Students absent from schools for the third time should be given warning letters in the interest of the school.

Teachers away on courses should get permission from principal to avoid unnecessary interruptions.

Cooperation from schools regarding assessors’ visits can be improved.

Too many teachers from a particular school being appointed as regional/state assessors.

ConclusionSchool is given authority to determine

candidates’ assessment scores.POWER + RESPONSIBILITYFailure or success lie in the attitude,

commitment and integrity of entrusted personnel.

Has effect on the lives of future generations.