Tougher standards for new exams<\/p>\n
Syamsir Alam, Center for International Education,
\nUniversitas Al Azhar Indonesia, Jakarta<\/p>\n
This year's school final exams may be a decisive moment for
\nthe Ministry of National Education in its efforts to improve
\neducation in the country. It is reported that the national final
\nexamination this month will impose a tougher standard for high
\nschools (SMU), and the same policy will also affect junior high
\nschools (SLTP). Unlike previous exams where almost of all the
\ntest-takers could pass, those sitting the May exams may fail if
\nthey cannot meet required minimum standards.<\/p>\n
Therefore, the country's next graduates, according to the
\ndirector general of secondary education, Indrajati, will have
\nqualified as either \"passing\" or merely \"completing\" school. Only
\nthose who pass can pursue a higher education. Other students will
\nbe awarded certificates noting their educational accomplishment,
\nwhich can be used when applying for a job. However, those
\nstudents who fail will be given a second attempt.<\/p>\n
The results of SMU final examinations have been often received
\nwith skepticism. People question the criteria for graduating,
\nwith many saying it is impossible to get information about an
\nindividual student's performance. There are no reports about the
\nknowledge and skills students have acquired. Therefore, the exam
\nresults cannot really be used as an indication of a student's
\nacademic performance.<\/p>\n
The national final exams so far are primarily designed for the
\npurposes of certification or graduation. For this year's exams,
\nwhile the government is committed to setting up tougher
\nstandards, it has yet determined what standard criteria should be
\nused for making graduation decisions.<\/p>\n
If the minimum score for graduating students has been set then
\nit should be disseminated to school administrators, parents and
\nother concerned parties.<\/p>\n
The government should lay down all procedures related to the
\nfinal exams and inform concerned parties on why the specific
\nmethods were selected. The government should be able to find the
\nright procedure for setting standard scores for graduating
\nstudents and share this knowledge with all concerned people.<\/p>\n
The use of standard scores for graduation can minimize
\nproblems with exams and provide a sound theoretical basis for
\neducational decisions. Standard setting is a technique used to
\ndetermine a passing score for students (test-takers) in a
\nparticular test.<\/p>\n
To enable examination administrators to make an objective
\ndecision criteria should be set before choosing any particular
\nmethod or technique for that purpose.<\/p>\n
Two key issues emerge in establishing the passing standard of
\nexams. First, standard setting involves political as well as
\npsychometric concerns. Second, standard setting is at heart a
\njudgmental operation. Although there are many different
\nprocedures for standard setting currently in use, all of them
\nrely at some point on human judgment. Therefore it is better to
\ninvolve as many people who have expertise in education as
\npossible in the decision-making process.<\/p>\n
Even though none of the techniques perfectly fit our
\nsituation, we can make some changes and adjustments so that we
\ncan resolve the problems of the national final examinations.<\/p>\n
Any efforts by the government to improve education should be
\nwelcomed, however, it should be done transparently and in
\ncooperation with all concerned parties.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tougher-standards-for-new-exams-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}