| 1. |
Schools are thanked for their participation in the exercise of administering and assessing the Common Tasks for Assessment (CTAs). |
| 2. |
The CTAs are not a summative examination of the work that has been completed in the course of the year. They are intended to sample learning outcomes that should have been addressed and to determine whether learners have attained these learning outcomes. |
| 3. |
Over the past three years, the CTAs have been set at a national level as part of a standard-setting and developmental process to provide support for teachers as they work their way into the new curriculum. The CTAs from previous years are, in fact, being used at many schools to inform the format of assessment in their continuous assessment programmes. |
| 4. |
The setting of the CTAs at a national level to develop a common standard across the country has been a very difficult process and has resulted in CTAs that do not always match the high standards associated with the Senior Certificate Examinations, which people are paid to set and which are tightly controlled by a small group of people who are able to adhere to commonly accepted standards at that level. It is anticipated that, in time, the CTAs will be set provincially. Once this happens, teams of teachers will become part of the process. |
| 5. |
Schools will be informed of the details regarding the 2005 CTAs as soon as they have been received from the national Department of Education. |
| 6. |
Please bring the contents of this minute to the attention of all concerned. |
| 7. |
Enquiries in this regard may be directed to the EMDC Directors, Chief Curriculum Advisers and Assessment Co-ordinators. |
SIGNED: J.P. RAULT-SMITH
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2004:12:02
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