Investigation of the link between school based assessment programme and the G.C.E. (A/L) results in combined mathematics

Abstract

The school based assessment (SBA) system, which was introduced in 1999, increased the work load of the teachers as well as students. As a result of this, this programme was highly criticized by parents, teachers and students indicating that the program leads to a wastage of resources and time. The situation is more severe with G.C.E. (A/L) curriculum. With this background, investigation of the link between the SBA and the final result of the G.C.E. (A/L) is deemed to be appropriate. Therefore, a study was undertaken to identify the relationship between the students’ performances in SBA and the final G.C.E. (A/L) results. The subject Combined Mathematics was chosen for this study. Eleven school in Kandy district were chosen for the study and out of these 92 students who sat for G.C.B. (A/L) in the year 2000 were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Similarly 31 teachers involved in teaching G.C.E. (A/L) Combined Mathematics were also interviewed using a separate questionnaire. Multivariate statistical analysis was carried out with principal components factor analysis. Also log-linear models were fitted. In factors analysis nine teacher factors, that mostly affect the final grade of G.C.E. (A/L) examination (in Combined Mathematics) have been identified. Using stepwise regression with the G.C.E. (A/L) graders in Combined Mathematics, it was found the factor, “tutorial” influence the final grads. Of seven student factors that have been identified based from the student information, stepwise regression revealed that the factors F2 and F7 (external education incentive, SBA) are related to the final grades. According to the log linear modelling with CATMOD the success of G.C.E.(A/L) Combined Mathematics depends on the area, type of school and sex (Boys, Girls and Mixed). The study reveals that the SBA has a strong positive relationship with the G.C.E. (A/L) results. Moreover, working on tutorials and, external education incentives e.g. Attending for tuition class etc.) also have a significant impact on the final grades.