Quote:
Originally Posted by SebC
The Grade 9 test, I feel, is important, due to the segregated nature of high school classes (i.e. pure math vs. applied math vs. math 14). And how do track school performance without standardized testing? How do you ensure consistent grading across the system? Students should not be compared to each other? Of course they should. How else do you figure out where to allocate post-secondary resources?
Couldn't you make critical thinking part of the test?
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For the grade 9 PATs it is an individual school decision on whether the achievement test has any value on a student's final mark. I have worked in 3 jr. high schools, none of them used the results on the student's final grade.
Yes you could but it is much more cost effective for Alberta Education (the government) if these tests are all multiple choice. Critical thinking usually needs a written component. They did attempt a written portion of the grade 9 social pat but it was quickly removed.