Meeting the challenges of change in assessment systems : a Maltese perspective

Abstract

Currently in Malta we are at the initial stages of reforming the system of assessment used in the upper primary and lower secondary classes. The main focus of the reform is on the replacement of the two selective examinations that channel primary school pupils to different types of secondary schools with a more equitable assessment that recognizes diversity and promotes a holistic education. This is the second time that the reform has been attempted. The first time was in the 1970s when it failed dramatically after a few years in operation and the traumatic experience it generated has left a scar on the Maltese educational psyche. Since then, thousands of 16-year-olds have left school without certification, with low self-esteem and no enthusiasm for further learning. This time round we must ensure that the reform succeeds. I believe that for this to happen we must recognize the challenges faced in the 1970s and explore why they overwhelmed the thrust of the reform. For this reason, my presentation will be divided into two parts. In the first part, I shall discuss the changes in educational assessment proposed in the 1970s and the reactions to them. In the second part, I shall describe briefly the developments that led to the new attempt to reform the system and outline the recommended changes. It would then be instructive to compare the challenges of the 1970s with the ones we face today, as I believe that they are not very different though the context is certainly different. This exercise should help us meet the challenges successfully. [excerpt]