“SQUARE, FIVE!” OR WHAT IS THE BEST ASSESSMENT SYSTEM BETTER?
KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM
An important part of the educational process is the knowledge assessment system. This is the basis for checking the quality of assimilation of the material. Overseas, 10-, 12-, and 100-point systems have long been introduced, although parents in the post-Soviet space are more familiar with the classic 5-point rating system. Since 2000, domestic educational institutions have been using a 12-point grading system.
What scale will allow a more complete assessment of knowledge? What to pay attention to when evaluating? What is the child’s reaction to evaluating their successes and what do evaluations mean for them?
Or maybe the ideal option is the one chosen in Finland? Their education system is recognized as the best, and it is based, in particular, on the complete absence of ratings. Children learn for knowledge, not for grades, according to the Ministry of Education. Finnish graduates demonstrate a high level of knowledge, and parents note the psychological comfort that their children feel.
INFLUENCE OF EVALUATIONS ON PERSONALITY DEVELOPMENT
Adults from early childhood evaluate the behavior of the child. A small person goes through all stages of socialization with the help of the so-called “socialization agents” in psychology. At different times, they become family, school, extracurricular institutions. The good attitude of these “agents” still needs to be earned, because often in the family a child is not accepted as he is, not to mention school. There is a continuous assessment of personality.
Already in kindergarten, the child is evaluated. In terms of behavior, temperament, contact, teamwork, learning ability. Too active, withdrawn, sufficiently developed, sensitive and so on. And of course, children get used to it.
ASSESSMENT AS AN INFLUENCE FACTOR
In the future, the school focuses on the ability to absorb knowledge, and the child is “marked” with high or low grades. Often this experience is transferred to later life: it is no longer the schoolboy who becomes an excellent student or “three-year-old” at the institute, but at work – an outstanding employee or mediocrity.
5-POINT SYSTEM: POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES
What does this system show us according to the figures given?
“1” – the material is not known to the student or is completely incomprehensible and not learned to him.
“2” – a significant part of the material is not learned, the student feels insecure with oral answers, and makes serious mistakes in written ones.
“3” – knowing the basic material, the student cannot put this knowledge into practice without clues. Mistakes in oral and written answers.
“4” – the student has learned the material, easily answers questions and can put knowledge into practiceith oral or.
“5” – is well-versed in the material, confidently answers the question, can put knowledge into practice, and doesn’t make mistakes with oral or written answers.
The advantages of this system in its traditionality and familiarity, it is easily perceived by both children and parents. Good grades affect a child’s self-esteem.
But there are also disadvantages! It is difficult to accurately assess knowledge according to specified criteria, so teachers often use grades that do not exist in official reports “4+”, “5-” and others. In addition, an increase in the student’s knowledge level is not evaluated from an objective point of view: if a child has made fewer mistakes compared to the last time, his assessment will not change. Poor grades negatively affect self-esteem and can lead to psychological trauma.
Often, a child is given a grade based on the subjective opinion of the teacher: it can be influenced by the student’s behavior in the lesson, personal qualities, and not objective knowledge.
FEATURES OF THE 12-POINT SYSTEM
In this system, the achievements of the child are already more “worked out”. Various qualitative characteristics of the assimilation of the material are taken into account.
A rating of “0” is not taken into account in the name of the system, because it cannot reflect the level of assimilation of the material, but is needed only to indicate the unwillingness of the child to answer questions or perform tasks of the teacher.
Pros in a more objective approach to the level of knowledge. The 12-point system allows you to analyze mental abilities, participation in the learning process, identify weaknesses. It reduces the gap between successful and unsuccessful students: all who receive from 7 to 12 points are considered successful.
At the same time, this system does not eliminate school problems: children can still get psychological trauma due to poor grades. The subjective attitude of teachers as a human factor remains. Moreover, this scale is difficult for parents who get confused and often do not understand the evaluation criteria.
It is the school system of assessment that affects the formation of personality, since school years account for the main period of growth and development of the child. Which is better: the Soviet 5-point system or the modern 12-point? Which is more objective and less traumatic?
The ideal has not yet been found, but psychologists note a 12-point system as more comfortable for children in terms of an adequate assessment of their knowledge.
