The achievement evaluation system, designed to assess learners achievement levels based on achievement standards derived from teaching and learning, was introduced to promote learner growth.
In particular, Written and essay-type assessments are con...
The achievement evaluation system, designed to assess learners achievement levels based on achievement standards derived from teaching and learning, was introduced to promote learner growth.
In particular, Written and essay-type assessments are considered an appropriate and highly valued evaluation method in the current curriculum, which emphasizes the cultivation of competencies such as critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, as they can positively influence the improvement of teaching and learning.
However, the actual implementation of essay-type assessments in schools faces challenges in aligning with their intended purpose and principles due to various reasons.
Specifically, teachers face professional burdens due to the significant time and cost involved in thoroughly understanding and applying the assessment procedures. Furthermore, they tend to hesitate in actively utilizing essay-type assessments in an environment accustomed to a selected-response-centered evaluation culture.
Based on the recognition of these challenges, this study focused on middle school social studies and conducted surveys and interviews with teachers to address the question of how to effectively operate essay-type assessments in schools. The results gathered from the teachers indicated a need for an approach that allows for the valid and facile development of essay assessment items and the subsequent establishment of fair scoring rubrics.
To this end, I devised a novel ‘What-Why-Now-How’ step-by-step approach, focusing on the ‘social studies’ area in the 2022 revised curriculum for middle schools.
This approach was linked to the achievement levels for each achievement standard, which are designed based on the hierarchy of cognitive thinking levels within the current achievement evaluation system.
Based on this framework, we established a questioning strategy for each stage and presented theoretical and strategic measures to enhance the validity and facility of assessment tool development by proposing a method for developing essay items grounded in each achievement level.