Evaluation of outcomes-based assessment in the intermediate phase

M.Ed.The purpose of this study was to evaluate Outcomes- Based Assessment in the Intermediate Phase. Curriculum 2005 is a new education curriculum that is driving the process of education transformation. It is fundamentally different from the school curriculum of the past which was divided into discrete subject areas and largely content- based and teacher- driven. One of the major shifts in the new curriculum is how learners are assessed. Outcomes - Based Assessment therefore is a daunting task and is not familiar for the majority of the educators in the Intermediate Phase. This study involved I 0 primary schools in the Richards Bay Circuit. 60 educators from the Intermediate Phase completed a questionnaire related to Outcomes - Based Assessment. The researcher also used observation as one of the research instruments in collecting data. 60 educators from the Intermediate Phase from the I 0 primary schools in the Richards Bay Circuit were closely observed. An observation checklist was completed by the researcher during class visits of the sampled schools. A close examination of 6 learners' portfolios, 2 from each grade and 6 from each school, together with the schools' Assessment Policy were evaluated by the researcher through the observation technique. 12 facilitators responsible for conducting workshops in Outcomes- Based Assessment for the Lower Umfolozi District were personally interviewed by the researcher. The researcher sought to evaluate Outcomes - Based Assessment in the Intermediate Phase, to identify measures as to empower educators to grasp a better understanding and determine areas of need regarding Outcomes - Based Assessment. The study has evaluated and reviewed the process, structure, design and implementation of Outcomes -Based Assessment in the Intermediate Phase, with a view to understanding what needs to be done to improve it, and make it successful. The major findings from the study pointed to the extent that Outcomes - Based Assessment is not widely understood at the classroom level. OutcomesBased Assessment definitely needs attention, that is, more clarity and a clear focus. Detailed guidelines and procedures from Departmental level needs to be instilled. This is the major contributing factor towards the failure to understand the process of Outcomes - Based Assessment