Alberta to overhaul standardized testing, emphasize creativity
Alberta to overhaul standardized
testing, emphasize creativity
Alberta is phasing out its benchmark province-wide achievement tests for students in favor of what it says are more comprehensive computer-based exams.
Education Minister Jeff Johnson says the new approach will better assess a student’s creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving – not just test for core knowledge in numeracy and literacy.
“It’s much more centered around the student and focused on informing the learning, while we will be able to pull out our (comparative) benchmarks as a province,” Johnson told a news conference Thursday at a downtown school.
The tests – called Student Learning Assessments – will still be administered to students in Grades 3, 6, and 9.
But Johnson said they will now be given at the start of the school year rather than at end as with the current provincial achievement tests, also known as PATs.
That way, said Johnson, if the tests identify a need for extra help, the student can get it immediately rather than
testing, emphasize creativity
Alberta is phasing out its benchmark province-wide achievement tests for students in favor of what it says are more comprehensive computer-based exams.Education Minister Jeff Johnson says the new approach will better assess a student’s creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving – not just test for core knowledge in numeracy and literacy.
“It’s much more centered around the student and focused on informing the learning, while we will be able to pull out our (comparative) benchmarks as a province,” Johnson told a news conference Thursday at a downtown school.
The tests – called Student Learning Assessments – will still be administered to students in Grades 3, 6, and 9.
But Johnson said they will now be given at the start of the school year rather than at end as with the current provincial achievement tests, also known as PATs.
That way, said Johnson, if the tests identify a need for extra help, the student can get it immediately rather than