| 1. |
As stated in Curriculum Minute 0091/2005, the format of the continuous assessment component and the final examinations for Economics from January 2006 will be in accordance with the National Guidelines. Teachers of this subject are therefore to ensure that they are familiar with the Economics National Assessment Guidelines document.
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| 2. |
The following clarifications of aspects should be read in conjunction with the Economics National Assessment Guidelines document:
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| 3. |
THE FINAL WRITTEN EXAMINATION (Refer to Economics National Assessment Guidelines, page 3)
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| 3.1 |
The mark allocation of 400 for Higher Grade and 300 for Standard Grade has remained unchanged. The duration of the paper also remains three hours. It is important to note that the order of the type of questions that have been set in the past has been changed, as follows:
Section A (for Higher Grade and Standard Grade) does not consist only of multiple choice questions, but includes a range of short factual type questions (e.g. multiple choice, true or false, choose the correct word, etc.). It is important to take note of the number of items that will be set on the different modules.
Section B for Standard Grade retains the same format as before. However, the types of questions, set on different cognitive levels according to a prescribed table, have been amended.
It is important to note that for the Higher Grade paper, the types of questions traditionally set for Sections B and C have been changed. Section B will now be the direct questions, whereas Section C will comprise the indirect (unstructured) “essay” questions.
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| 3.2 |
The syllabus coverage and weighting (Refer to page 5) has also been amended. Teachers need to take note of the different cognitive levels at which the papers will be set. (Paragraph 4.4)
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| 3.3 |
In the section on the elaboration of the syllabi (paragraph 4.5, pages 7 to 15), it is evident that subtle changes have been made which need to be effected meticulously.
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| 4. |
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT (CASS)
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| 4.1 |
CASS will still constitute 25% of the final promotion mark. The composition of the different CASS items has been amended and teachers need to take note of these changes and implement them.
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| 4.1.1 |
Formal Preparatory Examination: The formal preparatory examination constitutes 20% of the CASS for Higher Grade and 15% for Standard Grade.
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| 4.1.2 |
Controlled tests (paragraph 5.1.1): Two controlled tests need to be included in the CASS component, i.e. the first term controlled test and the June Examination.
The minimum mark allocation for the tests for Higher Grade is 130 and 100 for Standard Grade. The structure of the test and the type of questions asked must be similar to that of the final examination paper, i.e. Section A, B and C (Higher Grade), and Section A and B (Standard Grade).
The June examination needs to follow the same structure, time allocation and mark allocation as the Trial/September examination, as stipulated in paragraph 4 of the National Guidelines. It will, however, only cover the work done up to that stage. For the Essay type section (HG), three questions are to be set of which the learners must answer any two. No choices for the other questions (HG and SG) may be allowed.
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| 4.1.3 |
Other forms of assessment (Refer to paragraph 5.1.2)
Presentation or Case study It is recommended that learners do either an oral presentation OR a case study that counts 50 marks. The presentation must be assessed by means of a suitable rubric (Refer to the Transition Guidelines, page 45). The case study can be assessed by means of a rubric/memorandum combination.
Assignments: A minimum of TWO An assignment could consist of either a subject skill task OR a current economics issue task OR a combination of both. An assignment could be a case study. The assignments should also include graphs and calculations.
All assignments are to count 50 marks and are to be assessed with a rubric or a memorandum or a combination of both.
Research Project: ONE research project that counts 100 marks, converted to 20 marks for HG and 15 marks for SG. The project is to be assessed by means of a rubric only. (Teachers may adapt the one previously used in the CASS Transition Guidelines, page 38 – 40, or any other suitable rubric that applies the recommended criteria.)
Examples of suitable recommended tasks with their accompanying rubrics, as well as electronic mark sheet templates, are available on the Economics web-site (Resources page) http://curriculum.wcape.school.za/site/28/res/view and will be discussed with teachers by the different EMDC curriculum advisers during the cluster standard setting meetings to be held during the first term of 2006.
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| 4.1.4 |
It is recommended that a similar CASS programme be implemented for Grade 11 in 2006.
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| 4.1.5 |
Schedule for completion and moderation of CASS tasks
Each EMDC curriculum adviser will negotiate an attainable moderation schedule per cluster in order to complete and moderate the CASS items for the year.
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| 5. |
Principals are requested to ensure that the content of this curriculum minute is brought to the attention of all Economics subject heads and teachers.
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SIGNED: J.P. RAULT-SMITH
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2006:02:13
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