Assessment Matters 17: 2023

Kia ora koutou katoa. Welcome to the 2023 volume of Assessment Matters. At any level of education, from early childhood provision through to higher education, assessment is seen as critically important. Its importance is viewed as critical given that results from assessment serve many different purposes that are relevant to a wide range of stakeholders.

Much of the focus of international comparative studies of students’ achievement has been on New Zealand students’ falling standards. Using the most recent findings from the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), and, in particular, Year 9 New Zealand students’ performance in specific items, this article suggests that there is much more we can learn from this large-scale assessment. For example, in what ways are students’ achievements changing over the years? How has… Read more

Most central examinations in upper secondary school were cancelled by the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training (NDET) in 2020–22 due to COVID-19. Teacher assessment became the sole final assessment. An illuminative study was conducted to get perceptions of 12 informants representing policy makers, university leaders, teachers, principals, teacher unions, and a student union about central exam cancellation. This study finds that cancellation of central exams is perceived to have… Read more

Self-assessment is a beneficial practice in students’ development of evaluative judgement. In order to enhance students’ evaluative skills, a self-assessment treatment was introduced in the Economics Education I module at Samtse College of Education. The students are expected to self-assess various classroom activities and module assignments. For the students to be able to self-assess their learning, the researcher introduced specific instructional rubrics and gradation criteria to ensure… Read more

Learning and assessment that drives learner success should be a key tenet of all initial teacher education programmes. Initial teacher education providers in Aotearoa New Zealand must use an assessment framework to ensure that graduating teachers meet the Teaching Council standards. As a part of a review of their assessment practices, academic staff at an education institution conducted a survey to learn more about the practices and experiences of online assessment among their students and… Read more