Comment in the Australian on appaling Queensland results in international TIMSS & PIRLS. Take Note: Queensland dragged the national average down by a massive number of points.
“ Col of Brisbane of Queensland Posted at 11:30 AM Today Take Note: Queensland dragged the national average down by a massive number of points. It is the lowest performing state (second last to NT). Start by NOT doing what Qld does. Queensland academics in the QSA and Ed Dpt have forced Queensland teachers to check-box waffly higher-order thinking in time-consuming rubrics instead of testing the real content of disciplines. These ‘criteria-standards’ sheets have been used for years in high school and have had a wash-down effect on all schools. Now they are even forced on little kids in primary school so that if you get 2 + 2 = 4 correct you only get a D. In order to get an A, a Grade One child has to give a “considered explanation of their strategies” etc). Queensland forces teachers to mark so-called ‘standards’ A,B,C,D,E instead of marks and percentages. Queensland has no comparible tests or end of high school exams, so there is no statewide accountability. In other words, to fix the Australian problem, do the opposite of Qld: by getting back to basics. Also, tests are not the problem but the solution. They are actually beneficial if the kids get feedback on how much they got right or wrong and encouraged to compete for higher marks. Comment 72 of 72 “