SUBJECT-BASED BANDING (SBB)
- NURTURING EVERY CHILD
BACKGROUND
• Prior to 2008, schools recommend pupils for 2 streams at the end of P4
Merged and EM3 streams.
• In 2008, Subject-Based Banding (SBB) was implemented and refined to deliver ability-driven education
• Replacing the merged and EM3 stream.
WHAT SBB MEANS FOR YOUR CHILD
• Every child will be encouraged to do the subjects at the levels that best meet his aptitudes and abilities.
• Modular programme of studies consisting of combination of standard and/or foundation subjects
• Pupils with uneven abilities may be allowed the option to offer their stronger subjects at standard level, or, the option to offer weak subjects at foundation level.
• Encourage greater interaction among pupils with different strengths
WHY INTRODUCE SUBJECT-BASED BANDING?
SUBJECTS OFFERED UNDER SBB
Standard (S) subjects : E, M, S and MT
Foundation (F) subjects : FEL, FMA, FMT, FSc
Higher Mother Tongue (H): HMT
HIGHER MOTHER TONGUE (CL & ML)
Higher Chinese : Lessons are conducted outside curriculum time using the integrated
Higher Chinese textbook.
Pupils will sit for both Standard and Higher Chinese examinations.
Higher Malay: Lessons are conducted outside curriculum time (HMT textbook for
HML).
Pupils sit for both Standard and Higher Malay examinations.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF HMT PUPILS
P4 to P5 P5 to P6
• Achieve at least Band 1 for
CL/ML (overall score)
• Achieve at least Band 2 for
EMS (overall score)
Note: Additional class and work
for pupils at P5. Pupils will take 5
subjects.
School will recommend and
parents opt .
• Achieve at least 75 (Grade A) for
standard CL/ML (overall score)
• Achieve at least a pass for
HCL/HML (overall score)
School-based decision (takes into
consideration pupil’s capability to manage
Mother Tongue Language at a higher level
and his/her interest in the learning the
subject.)
o Increased daily workload
o Higher difficulty level
o Faster pace
o Independent learning and revision is expected
o Individual & group remediation will not be provided as pupils are expected to meet minimum standards.
DEMANDS FOR HMT
CONSIDERATIONS
o Stretching the pupils is important, but must not cause distress to pupils
o Priority is still on regular curriculum
o Other commitments are to be considered
o Holistic education and overall well-being of the pupils must not be compromised
TAKING HCL
•Eligible for Special Assistance Plan Schools (SAP)
•Bonus points are available for entry into these schools if the child has taken Higher MT in primary school (For HCL only)
•Pupils who are interested are advised to select SAP schools among the six school choices
Higher CL Grades Bonus Points
Distinction 3
Merit 2
Pass 1
LIST OF SPECIAL ASSISTANCE PLAN (SAP) SCHOOLS
1. Anglican High School
2. Catholic High School
3. CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School
4. Chung Cheng High School (Main)
5. Dunman High School
6. Hwa Chong Institution (High School Section)
7. Maris Stella High School
8. Nanyang Girls’ High School
9. River Valley High School
10. Nan Hua High School
SAPS Average Cut Off:PSLE T-Score >250
Subjects 4S
HMT
4S 1S (MT)
3F
3S
1FMA
3S
1FMT
2S2F 4F
Higher MT
English Language
MT
Mathematics
Science
Foundation EL
Foundation MT
Foundation Math
Foundation
Science
SUBJECT COMBINATIONS 2017 (Tentative)
HOW DOES SBB WORK?
Once parents have selected a combination, pupil will have
to take the combination for at least a year.
A SUMMARY
P5: SCHOOL BANDING CRITERIA
Pupil takes a subject combination determined by school / opted by parents
Pupil meet the expectations
Pupil continues with the
same subject combination in P6
Scenario 1
P5: SCHOOL BANDING CRITERIA
Pupil takes a subject combination determined by school / opted by parents
Pupil who does not meet expectations
Pupil will switch to a less demanding subject combination decided by the school
Scenario 2
P5 : Pass at least 1
subject
Continue with same
combination at P6
Subject Marks Remarks
English 50 Pass
Maths 45 Fail
Mother Tongue 42 Fail
Science 40 Fail
P5-6 PROGRESSION: EXAMPLE 1
Pass in 1 subject and fail marginally at the other levels.
Pupil continues to do standard subjects (4S)
P5 : Pass at least 1 subject
with other subjects falling
below 30
Offered 2S2F or 3S1F
Subject Marks Remarks
English 50 Pass
Maths 20 Fail
Mother Tongue 24 Fail
Science 47 Fail
P5-6 PROGRESSION: EXAMPLE 2
2S: Eng and Sci, 2F in Math and MT…but
Pupil will progress to 2S (Eng and Sci) 2F (Math & MT)
Subject Marks Remarks
English 45 Fail
Maths 40 Fail
Mother Tongue 28 Fail
Science 43 Fail
P5 : Fail all subjects May be required to take 1 or 2
subjects at Foundation Level at P6
P5-6 PROGRESSION: EXAMPLE 3
Fails all subjects. Pupil cannot cope with all the subjects
To take some subjects at foundation level to help him manage his work better.
Pupil will progress to 3S (EL, Ma, Sc) 1F (MT)
PROGRESSION FROM P5 TO P6
P5 : Pupils taking all
Foundation Subjects
Proceed to P6 and continue with
Foundation Subjects
PSLE SCORING
The Aggregate Score is the sum of the T-score in all subjects• Each subject carries equal weighting
The PSLE scoring system remains unchanged
The raw mark for each subject is converted to atransformed score (T-score)• The T-score reflects the pupils’ standing relative
to other pupils on a common scale
The PSLE score takes into account the:
content and demand of each subject
number of subjects taken
SUBJECT WEIGHTING –
STANDARD VS FOUNDATION
• For each subject, the subject score depends on the contentand demand of the subject.
• There will be heavier content and more difficult questions in standard subjects than foundation subjects
• The Scoring system takes this into account when calculating the score.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
1. What happens if the school does not
have the desired subject combination
that parents request for?
The school will provide subject combinations that are in the best educational interests of the pupils.
If, in the professional judgement of the school, in consultation with pupils and parents, a particular subject combination is not of educational benefit to the pupils, the school will make decision not to offer a particular subject combination in the Option Form.
2. Can pupils who take foundation subject
(s) still qualify for Express Course in
secondary schools?
Based on past trends, a large majority of pupils who are weak in 3 or more subjects at the PSLE subsequently went to the Normal Academic N(A) or Normal Technical N(T) courses in secondary school.
With the introduction of SBB, we expect therefore that the majority of pupils who take 2 or more foundation subjects would progress to the N(A) or N(T) courses at Sec 1, although some pupils who do very well could potentially also qualify for the Express course.
PSLE GRADING SYSTEM
Standard Subjects (English, Mother Tongue, Maths & Science)
Grade Mark Range Descriptor
A* >91 Has excellent understanding of the subject
A 75-90 Has very good understanding of the subject
B 60-74 Has good understanding of the subject
C 50-59 Has adequate understanding of the subject
D 35-49 Has fair understanding of the subject
E 20-34 Has elementary understanding of the subject
U (Ungraded) <20 Has not met requirements for the minimum grade
For Higher Mother Tongue, the grades and mark range are as follows: Distinction
(>80), Merit (65-70), Pass (50-64), Ungraded (<50)
PSLE GRADING SYSTEM
Foundation Primary 6 (Foundation English, Mother Tongue, Maths & Science)
Grade Mark Range Descriptor
1 85-100 Is very good in the subject at the foundation level
2 70-84 Is good in the subject at the foundation level
3 50-69Has an adequate grasp of the subject at the foundation level
4 30-49Has elementary grasp of the subject at the foundation level
U (Ungraded) Below 30Has not met the requirements at the foundation level for the minimum grade
ASSESSMENT POLICY
TERM 1 TERM 2 TERM 3 TERM 4
ENGLISH Mini Test 1
(10%) SA 1 (30%)
Mini Test 2
(15%)
LC (5%)
SA 2 (40%)
MATHEMATICS Mini Test 1
(10%) SA 1 (20%)
Mini Test 2
(10%) SA 2 (60%)
SCIENCE NIL
SA 1 (20%)
Performance
Task 1 (10%)
Performance
Task 2 (10%)
SA 2 (50%)
Performance
Task 3 (10%)
MOTHER TONGUE NIL SA 1 (30%) NIL SA 2 (70%)
NO OF WEIGHTED
ASSESSMENTS2 5 4 5
TOTAL 100%
P3 HOLISTIC ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW 2016
P4 HOLISTIC ASSESSMENT OVERVIEW 2016
TERM 1 TERM 2 TERM 3 TERM 4
ENGLISH Mini Test 1
(10%) SA 1 (30%)
Mini Test 2
(15%)
LC (5%)
SA 2 (40%)
MATHEMATICS Mini Test 1
(10%) SA 1 (20%)
Mini Test 2
(10%) SA 2 (60%)
SCIENCE Performance
Task 1 (10%) SA 1 (20%)
Performance
Task 2 (10%)
SA 2 (50%)
Performance
Task 3 (10%)
MOTHER TONGUE NIL • SA 1 (30%) NIL SA 2 (70%)
NO OF WEIGHTED
ASSESSMENTS3 4 4 5
TOTAL 100%
• Any child who is absent for SAs will need to produce a
medical certificate from a doctor .
• Medical certificates must be obtained from a medical
practitioner registered with the Singapore Medical Council
or from a dental practitioner registered with the Singapore
Dental Council for “VR” to be keyed in cockpit.
Assessment Policy & Guidelines
• There is NO make-up exams for pupils absent
during the examination period.
Assessment Policy & Guidelines
• Pupils who are absent without a valid reason for
Assessments( Weighted) will not be awarded any marks
for the paper which he/she has missed.
• Examples of absence without valid reason: Accompanying parents overseas during term time;
Having to attend external examinations such as piano exams/ ballet
exam
• Other reasons: Parents need to seek the advice of
school if child is going to be absent for reasons other
than illness.
Assessment Policy & Guidelines
Action Example
Set realistic goals Check performance to targets
Ensure routines Set aside time for specific activities eghomework /computer time
Provide encouragement Give positive advice
Supervise homework Check handbook for homework details/ Focus on weak areas /topics
Ensure a daily revision plan
Check if revision is consistent and thorough
ROLE OF PARENTS
Action Example
Ensure well-being Make sure there is sufficient nourishment/ rest/ recreation time
Provide a study area Fixed and conducive area in the house
Ensure attendance Attend all classes/ supplementary lessons etc
Gather feedback on child’s progress
Through platforms such as MTP sessions / email/ telephone etc
ROLE OF PARENTS
P3 Examination : 25 Oct – 28 Oct 2016
Release of report book : 16 Nov 2016
IMPORTANT DATES
P4 Examination : 25 Oct – 28 Oct 2016
Release of report book & School
Recommendation : 10 Nov 2016
Parent’s Option : 14 Nov 2016
IMPORTANT DATES
Thank You