An evaluation of School Based Assessment in Grade 11 and teacher-student attitude towards SBA

Abstract

The effectiveness of the teaching learning process can be measured and judged by evaluation. Therefore, evaluation is very important to the students as well as to the teachers. By Educational Reforms of 1998, School Based Assessment (SBA) was introduced to the school system in Sri Lanka. At present it has been implemented from grade 6 to grade 13 in all the government schools in Sri Lanka. Inclusion of SBA Grades in the certificate commenced in 2002 for GCE (O/L) and in 2005 for GCE (A/L). Overall aim of SBA is to improve the quality of learning, teaching and assessment. The aims of the study were to  Identify the teachers‟ and students‟ attitudes towards SBA  Find out the assessment tools that are used in SBA  Investigate the problems faced by the teachers and the students in using SBA tools The study was limited to four Educational Zones in Colombo district: twelve Schools were selected randomly to represent 1AB, 1C and type 2 schools. Twenty students from Grade 11 and two teachers were selected from each school. Total student sample was two hundred and forty. Attitude tests and short questionnaires were used to collect data. Approximately 21 assessment tools were identified as used under SBA. When considering the school type, high positive attitude on SBA can be seen in 1C schools students. Various problems were identified related to the assessment tools. Among them, the main problem was the lack of physical resources in type 2 schools. The conclusion of the study is that teachers should pay more attention to use student centered assessment methods. Steps should be taken to improve the validity of SBA marks. There should be a very close relationship among teachers to minimize the difficulties faced by the students because of the many assessments at any given time.