On an aside point, do you think it's better than the old system? My only experience with it has been the various scathing articles and my girl-friends younger sister being in the 6th form last year. From what I can tell it certainly seems to be very hard to interpret how well a student has done, and very unmotivating for students trying to excell.
I can pretty much go either way on this. On the one hand, yes, I think the grades need to be more definied- you're right, it can be unmotivating for students trying to excell who are really good, and have high standards, and don't get Excellence, or don't always get Excellence (well, no-one always gets Excellence.) I guess I've experienced this myself: I hate not getting Excellences, in whatever it is that I'm doing. Also, a Merit grade covers an equivalent percentage mark of 65% to 90%- so that, well,kinda sucks.
On the other hand, I think it has HUGE advantages over, say, 6th form Certificate, which was basically irredeemable. I also like the Achievement Standard and Credits approaches. I guess I think people slam it, and I wish they wouldn't. Yes, it needs fine tuning- very much so.
Example, in 6th form my English teacher couldn't stand me, and I her. I'd turn in what I would consider very good stuff and get shit marks. I got a grade of "5". 6 is a fail. 7th form, one year later and I got an A in Bursery English. Full internal assesment doesn't work imo.
Plus there's the system whereby they'd sort of ration the marks available- so, if you have 15 people get As in School C, the next year you only have, say, 15 1s to give out. If you only have one 1 to give out, and there are two students with great work, and the next mark available's a 5... tough bikkies. *grrr* Would have driven me batty. But I really like the combination internal/external system.
no subject
On an aside point, do you think it's better than the old system? My only experience with it has been the various scathing articles and my girl-friends younger sister being in the 6th form last year. From what I can tell it certainly seems to be very hard to interpret how well a student has done, and very unmotivating for students trying to excell.
no subject
Ah-ha. Tough question.
I can pretty much go either way on this. On the one hand, yes, I think the grades need to be more definied- you're right, it can be unmotivating for students trying to excell who are really good, and have high standards, and don't get Excellence, or don't always get Excellence (well, no-one always gets Excellence.) I guess I've experienced this myself: I hate not getting Excellences, in whatever it is that I'm doing. Also, a Merit grade covers an equivalent percentage mark of 65% to 90%- so that, well,kinda sucks.
On the other hand, I think it has HUGE advantages over, say, 6th form Certificate, which was basically irredeemable. I also like the Achievement Standard and Credits approaches. I guess I think people slam it, and I wish they wouldn't. Yes, it needs fine tuning- very much so.
no subject
Example, in 6th form my English teacher couldn't stand me, and I her. I'd turn in what I would consider very good stuff and get shit marks. I got a grade of "5". 6 is a fail.
7th form, one year later and I got an A in Bursery English. Full internal assesment doesn't work imo.
no subject
Plus there's the system whereby they'd sort of ration the marks available- so, if you have 15 people get As in School C, the next year you only have, say, 15 1s to give out. If you only have one 1 to give out, and there are two students with great work, and the next mark available's a 5... tough bikkies. *grrr* Would have driven me batty. But I really like the combination internal/external system.