Dialogue with P6 Parents

25 Jan 2019

1A Gracious community of Confident and Innovative Life-Long Learners

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• Overview of PSLE• Understanding PSLE Aggregate Score

(T- score)• Progression to Secondary Schools• Courses in Secondary Schools• Choice of Secondary School• PPS Performance at PSLE 2016• Strategies in Supporting Your Child to

Achieve Academic Excellence

Outline of Sharing

Overview of PSLE• PSLE is a placement exam

• Assesses pupils’ suitability for secondary education

• Placed in a course that suits their learning pace, ability and inclination

• Courses in secondary schools- Express stream- Normal (Academic) stream- Normal (Technical) stream

• Pupils who do not perform well at PSLE and is not eligible for posting to a secondary school may repeat in the school or apply to NorthlightSchool or Assumption Pathway School .

PSLE Score• T-Score Not the Raw score but a transformed score Reflection of relative achievement level of pupils within

their peers PSLE takes into account content, demand and number of subjects

• Aggregate Score Equals to sum of T-scores of each subject (HMT not included) Each of the 4 subjects carries the same weighting Determines the course and school a child go in

Secondary Schools

Progression PathsFor Primary School Pupils

ExpressNormal (Academic)Normal (Technical)

Normal (Academic)Normal (Technical)

PSLE

P6Standard

PSLE

P6Foundation

PSLE

P6Different Subj Combinations

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•Priority to secondary school admission is based on PSLE aggregate score

•Cut- off point means the score of the last PSLE pupil posted to the school in the preceding year

•Refer to table of schools

Secondary Schools’ cut-off Aggregate Points

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Express • 4-year course

• GCE ‘O’ level

• May opt for Higher Mother Tongue *

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ExpressEligibility criteria for HMT :

• Top 10% of the PSLE cohort; or• Top 11-30% of the PSLE cohort with A* in MTL at

PSLE or at least a Merit in HMTL

* Higher Mother Tongue

• Student will be invited to apply for HMT • Attend HMT lessons in school or at centres• HML – MOE Language Centre• HTL – Pulavar Tamil Language Centre

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Normal Academic

N(A)

• 4 year course - GCE ‘N’ level

• Proceed to GCE ‘O’ level at 5th year

OR

• Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP): a 1-year diploma-specific foundation programme conducted by polytechnic before progressing to Year 1 poly diploma

• Direct Entry Scheme to Poly Prog (DPP) : a through-train pathway to polytechnic via 2-year Higher Nitec at ITE

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• 4 year course

• Geared towards technical-vocational education at ITE

• Selected pupils may be allowed to offer up to maximum of 2 ‘NA’ level subjects at Sec 4

Normal Technical

N(T)

Subject-Based Banding in Sec Schools

• Allows students to take specific subjects at a higher academic level• Students in N(A) or N(T) may be able to take some subjects (EL, MA,

SC and MTL) at Express or N(A) level starting from Sec 1 if they have performed well in these subjects at PSLE. N(A) and N(T) students who scored A* or A grade at PSLE can

take the subject at the Express level N(T) students who scored at least a ‘C’ grade at PSLE standard

subject or Gr 1 in a PSLE Foundation subject can take it at N(A) level.

Beyond Sec 1, other N(A) and N(T) students who do well in school-based exams may be considered to take higher level subjects, if found suitable to do so by their schools

Students who take higher level subjects will take N(A) exams or ‘0’ level exams for these subjects at Sec 4

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Secondary 4 Express

Secondary 3 Express

Secondary 2 Express

Secondary 1 Express

LEARNING TAILORED TO DIFFERENT ABILITIES

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Independent Schools

Special Assistance Programme

Schools (SAP)

Autonomous Schools

Schools with Niche

Programmes

S’poreSports School

NUS High School of

Math & Science

School of the Arts (SOTA)

NLS

APS

Specialised Secondary Schools

Integrated Programme

Schools

School of Science &

Technology (SST)

Types of Secondary Schools

Spektra

Crest

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•Ability/Aptitude- Last year’s posting Cut-off points and

aggregate ranges of schools- Academic performance of the child- Disposition

• Interest/ Talents- Programmes and schemes offered

•Distance and Accessibility from home

Considerations for ChoosingSecondary Schools

Entering a secondary school

A) PSLE/S1 Posting Process B) DSA-Sec• Based on a student’s PSLE score• Most students enter secondary

schools this way *

• Based on a diverse range of talents and achievements in specific academicsubjects or non-academic areas, beyond what the PSLE recognises

• Allows students to access school programmes to develop their talents

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* Note: Please do not leave the country until after 2nd week of T4 school holidays

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•Based on a student’s PSLE score

• Sec 1 Option Exercise conducted immediately after release of PSLE results in late Nov

• Sec 1 Option Exercise - online

• Pupils to indicate 6 choices

• In event of need for appeal for transfer- do so at the school pupil is posted to

A. PSLE/Sec 1 Posting Process

B) Direct School Admission-Secondary (DSA)

• Allows pupils to seek admission to a secondary school onthe basis of talents and achievements in specific areasbeyond what the PSLE recognises

• Enables pupils to enter academic and non-academicprogrammes in secondary schools that can develop thepupils in these areas (eg sports and games, aesthetics,leadership, uniform groups etc)

• For admission to sec schools based on declared niche programmes

• Participating schools have flexibility in selection of pupils

Who should participate in DSA-Sec ?

If your child has specific talents which a school offers the DSA-Sec in

And is passionate about and committed to developing his/her strengths and interests

Talent

PassionCommit-ment

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DSA-Sec can support his/her development in that talent area.

Which school should my child apply to? • Look for a school with programmes that match your child’s

strengths and interests• Schools are looking out for students whose interests and talents they

can develop further. • Learn more about the secondary school’s pace of learning and overall

range of programmes

• Get the latest information about what each school offers by:• Visiting schools’ websites• Attending schools’ Open Houses to also experience their

environments and cultures• Visiting the MOE’s DSA-Sec website (will be updated around April

2019)

DSA-SEC APPLICATION

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A new DSA-Sec Application Portal

• To encourage students to tap on the expanded DSA opportunities, the DSA-Sec application process will be simplified

• From the 2019 DSA-Sec, students will be able to apply for DSA through a centralised DSA-Sec Application Portal, using a common application form.

• The portal will simplify and streamline the DSA application process, making it convenient for all students.

NEW – DSA-SEC APPLICATION PORTAL

What is the timeline for 2019 DSA-Sec?

8 May - 4 June(4 weeks)

Apply for DSA-Sec through DSA-Sec Application Portal.

17 June - 31 August

Shortlisting and selection by secondary schools. Each secondary school has different selection criteria for its categories and programmes. Schools will inform you of the selection outcome by Aug.

Rank your offers, if you receive offers from multiple schools

Late-October

You will know whether you have been allocated to a school through the DSA-Sec, at the same time you receive your PSLE results.

Late-November

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PPS PSLE Performance

2018

PSLE ResultsPPS vs Comparable Schools

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018Mean T-score Better Better Better Better Better

% Qualified Express

Better Better Better Better Better

% Eligible to Sec School

Better Better Better Better Better

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• Know and value your child• Motivate & monitor consistent work

(Focus on learning disposition) • Imbue in your child

a CHAMPION Mindset

Strategies to Achieve Excellence

CH

Challenge yourselfHave a constant drive to be better than what you are now

AM

AmbitionAspire to achieve defined goals

P Positive ThinkingHave faith in yourself and be confident that you CAN succeed

ION

ConvictionPick yourself up from failures and persevere

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• Set high expectations but encourage small progress and affirm good effort

• Set routines and adopt good habits • Balance and manage tuition work

(if any)• Plan your holidays (extra classes in

last week of June, Sept)

Strategies to Achieve Excellence

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• Adopt a whole family approach and make your child feel that he/she is not alone

• Assure your child that your love is unconditional

• Talk to your child about his school of choice – Make school visits

• Work closely with your child’s teachers

Strategies to Achieve Excellence

Q & A