The first Junior Secondary School cohort are with us, in their first grade of the Competency Based Curriculum’s Second Level, that is Grade 7. In guiding these special group of learners, it is important to put in place the right tools and resources, that way, we can be assured to only get the best for them and from them. As a company dedicated to promoting quality education and academic excellence, Signal Publishers has over the years put together a series of experiences and researches coupled with timeless untapped and tapped efforts in a bid to only deliver the best for our learners. We have not only aimed at achieving this by providing quality educational equipment, but also in our regular insights and guiding highlights that have had many educators change their approaches towards achieving excellence. One of these important highlights that we can’t miss is the need for regular Assessments, and the kind of Assessments we should administer to our Junior Secondary School students. And so, here are some important highlights you should always put in mind before developing or purchasing a junior Secondary School (Grade 7) Assessment Test/Exams.
- What Kind of Assessment Tests Should JSS Students Take?
As per the guidelines given by the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) and the Kenya National Examination Council, Junior Secondary School learners should be subjected to what has since been branded as Authentic Assessment. What then is an Authentic Assessment? Also referred to as Performance Assessment/Alternative Assessment/Direct Assessment; Authentic Assessment refers to a form of academic progress appraisal test in which learners are asked to perform or solve real-world tasks that demonstrate meaningful applications essential to knowledge and skills acquired in class. Authentic Assessment questions, which are also referred to as tasks contain real-life cases, performances or challenges that replicate the problems faced by experts in particular fields. Learners then use knowledge and skills acquired in classroom to provide varied solutions to those challenges and case studies. - The Main Characteristics of JSS Assessment Tests
Now that we understand what kind of Assessment tests Junior Secondary schoolers should be subjected to, let’s consider some of the most crucial features you should consider when choosing an authentic test for your students. Authentic Tests have a series of well researched and defined characteristics. These characteristics include; Varied responses, encourage self-assessment and deep reflection, allow differentiated learning and finally provide opportunity for peer learning. Teachers should shun away from any Grade 7 or Junior Secondary School Assessment Test or exam that does not have or meet any of the aforementioned characteristics. - The Types of Authentic Tests
The third and very important knowledge that teachers should have at their fingertips before developing or purchasing a ready-made JSS Assessment Test, is the various types of Authentic Tests. There are two main types of Authentic Tests that teachers should always decide on before choosing an ideal one for their learners. These two types of Authentic tests can always go hand in hand. They include;
a. Product Like Authentic Assessments
Product like assessments include essays, stories or poems, research reports, lab reports, news papers etc. The aim of product like assessment is to provide more accurate and comprehensive evaluation of learners’ capabilities by assessing their performance and application of skills within authentic/real-life contexts.
b. Performance Like Authentic Tests
Performance like authentic tests include, conducting an experiment, debates, athletic completions and oral presentations. Performance like authentic tests is aimed at evaluating learners’ skills and abilities through the demonstration of their performance in real or realistic settings. While Product like tests involved studying and providing reports in regards to a task, performance like assessment involve practical application of knowledge other than writing them down. - Standards
The fourth important issue that teachers should consider in developing or purchasing readily developed JSS Assessment Test is the Standard. Standards in this case are statements of what students should know and are able to do at a given level or season of learning. JSS Assessment standards are derived from specific learning outcomes, they can also be described as what is expected from students as outcomes of certain authentic/real-life tasks or case studies. - Rubrics
JSS rubrics are created after teachers have identified criteria, they want to use in Assessing their learners’ performance. Authentic Assessments, should accommodate at least one or two of these types of rubrics; Analytic rubric, which breaks down content or task assessed into parts then assesses each part separately. Then there is holistic rubric which assesses the overall performance on a task as a single entity.
Signal JSS Assessments/exams put in to consideration all requirements as guided by curriculum development and partner ministries. Our Assessment tests approach provides a more accurate assessment of individuals’ abilities by evaluating their performances in realistic contexts. Signal JSS Assessment allows learners to get a more comprehensive understanding of their skills, problem solving capabilities, critical thinking and decision-making aptitude. In choosing an ideal JSS Assessment Test/exam, choose non other than Signal Exams.
