EDCOM II tackles issues on education assessment
Photo credit: EDCOM II
The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II) hosted a focus group discussion (FGD) on basic education assessment on 7 May 2024.
Aligned with EDCOM II’s Priority Area No. 25 (Integrated Performance Management and Accountability System – IPMAS), the discussion aimed to gain valuable insights into the current system for measuring learning outcomes in basic education, which falls under Priority Area No. 6.
RITQ Deputy Director Dr. Allan Reyes (Photo credit: EDCOM II)
RITQ Deputy Director Dr. Allan Reyes and Dr. Marilyn Balagtas, Vice President for Academics of the Philippine Normal University (PNU), were invited to share their expertise as resource persons.
The FGD explored several critical concerns regarding the current assessment system, including delayed access to assessment results; concerns on the excessive number of assessment activities, which might not always be strategically designed to measure learning effectively; and the need to strengthen assessment culture and data literacy within the Department of Education (DepEd).
The FGD participants agreed on addressing the “mass promotion” issue. The practice of automatic grade promotion, regardless of academic performance, was identified as a significant problem that compounds as students progress through grade levels. Participants emphasized the importance of assessing student learning at key stages, such as Grades 3, 6, 10, and 12. This approach allows for timely intervention and support where needed.
The FGD advocated for assessments that focus on essential competencies, ensuring students possess the necessary foundation for succeeding in the next grade level and preventing knowledge gaps from accumulating. Emphasis was placed on developing an efficient system for conducting, analyzing, disseminating, and utilizing assessment data. This allows for timely feedback and adjustments that can benefit students directly.
Continued participation in International Large-Scale Assessments (ILSAs) was seen as valuable for benchmarking educational performance against global standards.
https://www.ritq.ph/?p=5051NewsEDCOM2
