ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT MINUTE: 0013/2009 |
TO: | CHIEF DIRECTORS, DIRECTORS (HEAD OFFICE AND EDUCATION DISTRICT OFFICES), CIRCUIT TEAM MANAGERS, IMG MANAGERS, CURRICULUM ADVICE AND CO-ORDINATION MANAGERS, CURRICULUM ADVISERS, CHIEF EDUCATION SPECIALISTS, DEPUTY CHIEF EDUCATION SPECIALISTS, ASSESSMENT CO-ORDINATORS AND HEADS OF ALL EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS PREPARING GRADE 9 LEARNERS FOR THE GENERAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATE (GEC) |
| FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING PROGRESSION AND PROMOTION FOR GRADES 1 - 9 |
| 1.1 |
This Assessment Management Minute serves to clarify some of the implications of Circular 0018/2009.
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| 1.2 |
The Council of Education Ministers (CEM) approved the implementation of the new GET progression and promotion requirements with effect from 2009. This decision is therefore legal and binding on all schools.
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| 1.4 |
In Grades 1 - 8, the principle of progression still applies. In Grade 9, a learner is promoted based on their recorded performance in the assessment tasks.
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| 2. |
PROGRESSION IN GRADES 1 - 8
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| 2.1 |
The national progression requirements stipulated in Circular 0018/2009 provide clear direction for teachers on how to measure learner performance throughout the year and make final judgements regarding the progression of a learner.
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| 2.2 |
All the stipulated learning areas are compulsory in Grades 1 - 8 and all learners must complete all the school-based assessments (SBA) for all the learning areas.
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| 2.3 |
In terms of Government Gazette 29626 of 2007, "ideally, all learners in Grades 1 - 8 should progress with their age cohort", and this practice will still continue with the implementation of the new progression and promotion requirements. Any decision about progression should be based on the evidence of a learner's performance against the recorded assessment tasks.
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| 2.4 |
No learner should stay in the same phase for longer than four years (or five years in the case of the Foundation Phase where Grade R is offered), unless the provincial Head of Department has given approval based on specific circumstances and professional advice.
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| 2.5 |
Where a learner needs more time to demonstrate achievement, decisions shall be made based on the advice of the relevant role-players: teachers, learners, parents and education support services (ESS).
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| 2.6 |
Early identification of learners at risk is essential and intervention strategies need to be implemented as soon as possible.
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| 3. |
PROMOTION AT GRADE 9 LEVEL
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| 3.1 |
Promotion occurs only at Grade 9 level in the General Education and Training (GET) Band.
Languages count as a single learning area for promotion purposes. Therefore, only ONE of the languages offered must be considered for promotion decisions.
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| 3.2 |
All eight learning areas are compulsory and all learners must complete all the school-based assessment (SBA) and the external assessment components for all the learning areas.
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| 3.3 |
In order to be promoted from Grade 9, a learner must achieve at least the following:
| a) | Home Language or LoLT | 4 (50 - 59%) |
| b) | Learning Area 2 | 4 (50 - 59%) |
| c) | Learning Area 3 | 4 (50 - 59%) |
| d) | Learning Area 4 | 3 (40 - 49%) |
| e) | Learning Area 5 | 3 (40 - 49%) |
| f) | Learning Area 6 (Mathematics) | 3 (40 - 49%) |
Please note: A learner may achieve below 40% in learning areas 7 and 8 and still be promoted, on condition that the above-mentioned promotion requirements in the six learning areas are met.
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| 3.4 |
The section of the policy regarding concessions and exemptions is currently being developed by the Inclusive Education Unit at the national Department of Education.
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| 4. |
LANGUAGES: GRADES 1 - 9
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| 4.1 |
The LoLT refers to the language of learning and teaching applicable to the learner at a particular school. The following scenarios are provided to give clarity on the Home Language and LoLT progression and promotion requirements:
| No | Scenario | LoLT of School | Foundation Phase | Intermediate Phase | Senior Phase |
| 4.1.1 | Learner offers English HL and Afrikaans First Additional Language | English | Learner must obtain a Rating Code of 3 in Literacy. | Learner must obtain a Rating Code of 3 in English HL. | Learner must obtain a Rating Code of 4 in English HL. |
| 4.1.2 | Learner offers English HL and Afrikaans HL | Afrikaans | Learner must obtain a Rating Code of 3 in Literacy. | Learner must obtain a Rating Code of 3 in either English or Afrikaans, as they are both at HL level. | Learner must obtain a Rating Code of 4 in either English or Afrikaans, as they are both at HL level. |
| 4.1.3 | Learner offers Xhosa HL and English First Additional Language | English | Learner must obtain a Rating Code of 3 in Literacy. | Learner must obtain a Rating Code of 3 in either Xhosa HL or English FAL. | Learner must obtain a Rating Code of 4 in either Xhosa HL or English FAL. |
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| 4.2 |
In the case of schools that offer parallel medium of instruction, the LoLT of the learner must be considered for promotion purposes.
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| 5. |
RECORDING AND REPORTING
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| 5.1 |
Grades 1 - 8 will use the same mark schedule as sent out by the Western Cape Education Department in Circular 0049/2007.
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| 5.2 |
Grade 9 will continue with their planned formal programme of assessment in the third term.
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| 5.3 |
CTA: Section A and Section B will be conducted during the fourth term in 2009.
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| 5.4 |
For 2009, CTA Section A and school-based assessment (SBA) will constitute 75% of the total promotion mark for Grade 9 in each learning area. The CTA Section A will account for 10% and the school-based assessment will account for 65% of the final mark.
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| 5.5 |
Section B of the CTA will therefore count for 25% of the final promotion mark per learning area.
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| 5.6 |
Revised electronic versions of the Grade 9 mark schedule will be made available to all schools during the third term. The revised schedule will take into account the changes indicated above.
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| 6. |
Kindly note that from 2010 onwards, schools will have to conduct Section A of the CTA during the second term and Section B during the fourth term.
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| 7. |
Please bring the contents of this minute to the attention of all educators, parents and all concerned.
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SIGNED: T SINGH
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2009:07:02
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
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