Monday, September 21, 2009

SAT Format, Policy issue

Teachers
I teach grade 12 and grade 9 maths at my school. what concerns me is the fact that the format for grade 9 potfolio as it stands requires 6 tasks for the entire year. The tasks are made up of activities of 3 each. This means that you need 3 multiplied by 6 which is eighteen. The SAT is regarded as one task. If you have seen how long the SAT is, you will understand what i am talking of. How is it that the policy permits that the grade 9 be so different with the grade 12, which is 7 tasks for the whole year. 7 tasks are just that, seven, not more. How can an educator be expected to do 18 activities and 7 more activities. Are we just people who are there to complete these tasks for the sake of completing these tasks or there is quality in all this?

2 comments:

  1. Hi' Justi...
    It does not make sence, not at all broer, they are concerned with quantity rather than quality, anyway thanxs for the reminder cause our turn for grade 9 moderation is coming.

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  2. I am also teaching mathematics grade 11 and 12 this year. I had a grade 9 mathematics class in 2008.
    Grade 9 format has a number of challenges than other grades, some of the challenges are:
     In a year, 9 tasks should be completed i.e. every term three activities should be completed; a task consists of three activities, meaning 27 activities in a year.
     Completion of all Los and ASS is another challenge
     CTA which is written for more than three weeks and covers the content beyond grade 9 level.
     Teachers are unable to complete the content/ syllabus
     Activities are just completed without the understanding of learners which leads to poor performance of learners.

    Grade 10, 11 and 12 have less tasks than grade 9 and the department needs to review grade 9 format.
    I think the above comment is true, activities are just done to fulfill the needs of the department and in other school teachers are unable to complete these activities.

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