TO: | CHIEF DIRECTORS, DIRECTORS (HEAD OFFICE AND EMDCs) CHIEF EDUCATION SPECIALISTS, CHIEF CURRICULUM ADVISERS, SENIOR CIRCUIT MANAGERS, SENIOR CURRICULUM PLANNERS, CIRCUIT MANAGERS, CURRICULUM ADVISERS, ASSESSMENT CO-ORDINATORS AND HEADS OF ALL INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER PRIMARY SCHOOL EDUCATION. |
| GRADE 3 LITERACY AND NUMERACY TEST ITEMS |
| 1. |
The WCED Literacy and Numeracy Strategy is a response to the generally low levels of literacy and numeracy that have been identified and in terms of this strategy, the WCED has undertaken a number of intervention actions. Grade 3 learners are assessed every alternate year to determine levels of literacy and numeracy in the province, in an EMDC and in most primary school. The analysis of the achievement of learners in a school is intended to give teachers and support staff and understanding of how learners in each school are developing their literacy and numeracy skills and to provide appropriate support.
|
| 2. |
The first two Grade 3 tests were conducted in 2002 and 2004. Exactly the same items were utilised in both tests to establish the standard and to be able to make valid comparisons of results. The database of questions has now been expanded by an item bank thereby providing additional items of exactly the same standard. This enables WCED to release a number of the items (attached). These items serve to give teachers an idea of the type, content and format of the questions that are included in the provincial assessment test. In the Numeracy examples, similar items have been selected ranging from grade 1 to grade 3. In the Literacy examples, the different tasks target different grades, thus illustrating progression.
|
| 3. |
The intention of releasing these results is NOT that teachers should teach to the test items through de-contextualised, drill type exercises. They are intended to show teachers that the test indeed assesses the learning outcomes of the National Curriculum Statement and that by engaging thoroughly with the knowledge, values and attitudes across the entire curriculum, within a meaning-centered context, teachers will prepare their learners adequately for the next round of testing.
|
| 4. |
Institutions and organisations outside of the WCED may use the material provided it is not for gain and the source is clearly acknowledged.
|
| 5. |
Feedback from any user is invited and appreciated and may be directed to the Chief Curriculum Advisor at the EMDCs or the Director: Curriculum Development.
|
| 6. |
In future, tests written by Grade 6 learners will also be available in Xhosa.
|
| 7. |
The WCED wishes to thank those schools and teachers who use this resource material for critical curriculum engagement and development. Please contact your EMDC Foundation Phase curriculum advisor for further guidance and support.
|
SIGNED: J.P. RAULT-SMITH
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2006:09:11
Grand Central Towers, Lower Parliament Street, Private Bag X9114, Cape Town 8000
Please quote reference numbers in all correspondence
SAFE SCHOOLS: 0800 45 46 47
CLIENT CALL CENTRE: 0861 92 33 22
|
