1. |
The annual systemic assessments at national and provincial level will be conducted in the third term of 2014. The Annual National Assessments (ANAs) will take place from 16-19 September 2014 and the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) systemic tests will take place from 14-28 October 2014. The main aim of these tests is to establish the performance level of learners in Language and Mathematics in Grades 1-6 and 9. |
2. |
The increased number of public holidays in the second term and the negative impact the loss of contact time may have had on teaching and learning is a huge concern for the WCED. All efforts must be made to counter this problem, thus schools are requested to adequately prepare their learners for the approaching national and provincial assessments. |
3. |
In this regard teachers are to guarantee that key concepts in Language and Mathematics are sufficiently covered and consolidated in preparation for the looming tests. |
4. |
The teaching and consolidation of key concepts must be done during teaching time as well as through supplementary teaching in preparation for the systemic tests. |
5. |
Learners must familiarise themselves with various questions pitched at different cognitive levels and must know how to respond to each of them. |
6. |
A template, marked Annexure A, with key concepts to be taught in Language and Mathematics is attached to this minute. |
7. |
In addition exemplars of ANA test items can also be found on the WCED website. New exemplar items for Grade 9 can be found in the folder marked as Annual National Assessment 2014. Items for Grades 1-6 and 9 appear in the folder marked as Annual National Assessment 2013. |
8. |
Access as follows:
- Type in http://wced.school.za/home/home.html and click on "Curriculum Development";
- click on "Assessment Management – GET Assessment";
- click on "Annual National Assessment"; and
- Find the folders: Annual National Assessment 2014, Annual National Assessment 2014.
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9. |
The WCED exemplars can also be found on CEMIS – refer to Research Minute: 0003/2014. |
10. |
Teachers are further requested to:
- mediate the exemplars with other subject teachers in a staff workshop.
- study the papers to familiarise themselves with the different test items and the mark allocation of the memorandum.
- practice the various items to enable learners to familiarise themselves with the type of questioning, and to work independently.
- support learners with the reading and interpreting of test items/instructions, the mark allocations and how to approach the answers.
- encourage learners to work neatly and legibly.
- Schools may set up a "mock-test". During this exercise:
- the classroom must be prepared like it would be for a real test;
- learners should work individually with a test in front of them;
- it is recommended that teachers be swopped between classes to role-play the real test environment; and
- School Management Team (SMT) members can act as monitors of the process to ensure maximum effectiveness.
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11. |
Please note that the ongoing teaching plans of teachers should not be unfairly compromised by these preparations, thus a balance must be maintained between teaching and practice as well as caution taken not to place undue stress on learners. |
12. |
Schools are requested to inform parents about the systemic assessments and encourage parents to support their children when practising items as homework. |
13. |
Principals and Subject Advisers are requested to bring the contents of this minute to the attention of the teachers involved. |
SIGNED: BK SCHREUDER
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT MANAGEMENT
DATE: 2014:07:30
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