❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses changes to the marking method for WACE literature exams, marker experience, and requests a review of the new method. The Minister provides some answers and defers one.
AnsweredQoN 888Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION —
LITERATURE EXAMINATIONS
888. Hon MATT BENSON-LIDHOLM to the Minister for Education:
Some notice has been given of the question. I refer to the
Western Australian Certificate of Education examinations for literature.
(1) Can the
minister confirm that the examinations have been marked in the past two years
using a new marking method; and, if so, what is the reason for using the new
method?
(2) What other
Australian states and what other countries use this method to mark university
entrance essays, and for what examinations do they use this method?
(3) By the
advertised closing date this year, how many markers with three or more years of
experience did not reapply for positions on the English or literature marking
panels, and what is the Minister for Education doing to ensure that there are
sufficient experienced markers for this year's examinations?
(4) Has there
been a formal independent review of the new marking method; and, if not, will
the minister undertake to conduct such a review and make the results public?
(5) If there
has been a trial or review, will the minister make the results public; and, if
not, why not?
LITERATURE EXAMINATIONS
888. Hon MATT BENSON-LIDHOLM to the Minister for Education:
Some notice has been given of the question. I refer to the
Western Australian Certificate of Education examinations for literature.
(1) Can the
minister confirm that the examinations have been marked in the past two years
using a new marking method; and, if so, what is the reason for using the new
method?
(2) What other
Australian states and what other countries use this method to mark university
entrance essays, and for what examinations do they use this method?
(3) By the
advertised closing date this year, how many markers with three or more years of
experience did not reapply for positions on the English or literature marking
panels, and what is the Minister for Education doing to ensure that there are
sufficient experienced markers for this year's examinations?
(4) Has there
been a formal independent review of the new marking method; and, if not, will
the minister undertake to conduct such a review and make the results public?
(5) If there
has been a trial or review, will the minister make the results public; and, if
not, why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1) Yes, the
examinations in literature have been marked in the past two years using a new
marking method. The change was one of the recommendations made by Professor
David Andrich, Chapple Chair, University of Western Australia in his 2005
report, ''A report to the Curriculum Council of Western Australia
regarding assessment for tertiary selection''.
(2) Criterion
referenced, a form of analytic marking, is used by New South Wales, South
Australia and Victoria to mark extended responses—essays—in
English and literature examinations. On the information available to me at this
time, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use criterion-referenced
marking.
(3) The answer
to this question cannot be provided in the time allotted; however, an answer
will be provided by 29 November 2012. An appropriate number of experienced
markers have been appointed to mark each of the 2012 WACE examinations.
(4) No, there
has not been a formal independent review of the new marking method. No
independent review is planned or required. The School Curriculum and Standards
Authority is in the second year of monitoring the use of criterion-referenced
marking keys in order to maximise feedback provided to schools on student
performance.
(5) Not applicable.
question.
(1) Yes, the
examinations in literature have been marked in the past two years using a new
marking method. The change was one of the recommendations made by Professor
David Andrich, Chapple Chair, University of Western Australia in his 2005
report, ''A report to the Curriculum Council of Western Australia
regarding assessment for tertiary selection''.
(2) Criterion
referenced, a form of analytic marking, is used by New South Wales, South
Australia and Victoria to mark extended responses—essays—in
English and literature examinations. On the information available to me at this
time, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use criterion-referenced
marking.
(3) The answer
to this question cannot be provided in the time allotted; however, an answer
will be provided by 29 November 2012. An appropriate number of experienced
markers have been appointed to mark each of the 2012 WACE examinations.
(4) No, there
has not been a formal independent review of the new marking method. No
independent review is planned or required. The School Curriculum and Standards
Authority is in the second year of monitoring the use of criterion-referenced
marking keys in order to maximise feedback provided to schools on student
performance.
(5) Not applicable.
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