institut za društvena istraživanja u zagrebu centar za istraživanje i razvoj obrazovanja the...

Institut za društvena istraživanja u ZagrebuCentar za istraživanje i razvoj obrazovanja

The analyses of the conditions for introducThe analyses of the conditions for introducinging tthe National Secondary School Leaving Exam he National Secondary School Leaving Exam

in Croatiain Croatia (State Matura) (State Matura)

State MaturaState MaturaFrom the perspective of Higher From the perspective of Higher

EducationEducation


Proponents of the projectMinistry of Education and Sports - Republic of CroatiaMinistry of Science and Technology - Republic of Croatia (Project no: 0100502)

Implementation of the projectInstitute of Social Research in Zagreb:Centre for Educational Research and Development

Project Leaderdr. sc. Petar Bezinović


The project aim

• The analyses of the conditions for implementing State Matura

• Development of the proposal for the national approach to the implementation of the State Matura that will meet the developmental needs of Croatian

• Piloting the proposal – experimental Matura (2004.)


What is State Matura?

• State Matura is an exam that tests at what level are the goals of secondary education achieved - it determines the level of achieved student competences.

• It is organized centrally and implemented at the same time for all candidates.

• State Matura is the Secondary school leaving exam.

• It could be used instead of the entrance exams for Higher education.


Basic premise

Implementation of State Matura and other external exams which will ensure

objective, valid, reliable and fair evaluation of school achievements/ student competences

will provoke important developmental processes which may significantly improve the quality of education in Croatian schools.


The goals of State Matura

• Valid, reliable, objective and fair measurement of school achievement.

• Defining of national standards monitoring the achievement of programs and goals of secondary education

• Ensure that education and knowledge have appropriate value

• Improving the quality of schools - promoting the quality of teaching and learning.


The goals of State Matura – cont.

• Improving the students’ level of motivation for learning and their desire for achievement.

• Ensuring valid and fair selection of candidates for enrolment into Higher education.

• Making Croatian High School diploma clear and comparable on the local and European labour markets as well as in European education.


Conceptual frame

Current situation in Croatia• There is no established system for evaluating the quality of

education• The general level of education of the citizens is low, education

and knowledge are undervalued.

Current situation in EU• Dynamic changes, technological advancement – greater need for

competent experts that are flexible to adapt to the ever changing social and technological conditions and effectively solve the most demanding problems.

• Open borders, wider markets, great competitiveness • Improving the quality of education is the primary development

goal of the European Union (Lisbon, 2000)• High educational standards as a necessity and a premise for

development


Conceptual frame – cont.

Croatian priority tasks• Achieve high level quality of education • Ensure equality and accessibility of quality education to

all

Key issues concerning external assessment • What kind of system of external assessment can best

promote the quality of education – stimulate quality learning and teaching – and ensure unrestricted development of creative potential of the individuals?


Research objectives

• Establish what is the attitude of Higher education institutions on introducing State Matura in Croatian education and utilizing these results for enrolment into higher education.

• Research what competences should the candidates for further education have.

• Establish the content which should be assessed on State Matura.

• Establish what is the opinion of Higher education institutions on the readiness of students for further education.


The higher education institutions questionnaire

The analysesThe analyses


MethodParticipants• 91 questionnaires received from 50 different faculties or other higher

education institutions, 37 departments and 4 subdivisions were analysed. The questionnaires were completed by the heads of these units following discussion with their colleagues. 1346 teachers participated in these discussions.

Methodology• The higher education institutions received the questionnaire by e-mail

with the introductory letter from the president of the Coordination group for educational system reform in Republic of Croatia.

• Following the discussion, the completed questionnaires were returned to the Institute of Social Research for analyses.

Questionnaire • Examines the attitudes on introducing State Matura and utilizing

these results instead of entrance exams, possible content of the Matura exam, necessary competences for higher education, readiness of freshmen for their studies.

Attitudes on introducing SM at the end of secondary education

regardless to the selection procedures for entrance into Higher education

7.7

1.11.1 2.2

41.8

46.2

0

10

20

30

40

50

AGAINST against ? for FOR no answer

%

M=4,27

sd=0,79


Main arguments for introducing SM

1. Unique assessment criteria2. Valid, objective and fair measurement of knowledge

that will ensure realistic insight into the quality of achieved knowledge

3. Simplified entrance into Higher education (no entrance exams), unburden the universities

4. Improved evaluation of schools and teachers 5. Improvement of the quality of education 6. Improvement of preparation for higher

education/better students

Attitudes on introducing SM at the end of secondary education

instead of existing entrance exams for Higher education

25.3

2.23.3 4.4

30.8

34.1

0

10

20

30

40

AGAINST against ? for FOR no answer

%

M=3,87sd=1,0

3

Institut za društvena istraživanja u ZagrebuCentar za istraživanje i razvoj obrazovanjaArguments FOR using SM

instead of existent entrance exams

1. Greater objectivity, fairness and validity2. Assessment of school achievement based on

standardised criteria3. Less stressful for students4. Simplified procedures, easier rating of the students who

satisfy the criteria. 5. Unburdening of the universities6. Transparent, no issues with the regularity of entrance

exams7. ! Elimination of entrance exams is possible only if the SM

assesses the relevant content !8. Cheaper, faster


Arguments AGAINST the use of SM results instead of existent entrance exams

1. It is impossible for a unique SM to include the specifics of each study group and assess the contents for each faculty,

2. It can not assess specific talents and motivation 3. Faculties should have full autonomy, must have full

control of the assessed contents, must establish the criteria for the selection of their students by themselves.

4. Possibilities for manipulation, doubt in the correct implementation of SM.

Attitudes on the utilization of SM results instead of the existing entrance exams

(mean scores according to the type of institution)

3

3,44

3,67

3,71

3,71

3,8

4,2

4,29

4,67

2 3 4 5

art

medicine, veterinary

natural sc. -math.

social sc.

technical

technological

teacher

polytechnics

economics, law

Possible content of SM

3.3

4.4

8.9

8.9

12.2

14.4

14.4

15.6

17.8

20

21.1

21.1

22.2

26.7

32.2

32.2

36.7

47.8

71.1

81.1

93.3

95.6

0 20 40 60 80 100

Greek

Religious Studies

PE

Music

2. Foreign lang.

Latin

Art

Philosophy

Politics

Sociology

Logic

Psychology

Ethics

Geography

History

Biology

Chemistry

Physics

Computer studies

Maths

1. Foreign lang.

Croatian

%

Content of entrance exam for 2003/04

CROATIAN• Economics,management,

tourism• Law• Teacher colleges• Croatian language and

literature• Faculty of philosophy Zagreb• Logaoedics• Political sciences, journalism• Catholic theology faculty • Some foreign language • History • Social sciences collage• Academy of dramatic arts• Police academy

MATHEMATICS• Economics,management,

tourism• Mathematics and physics• Teacher maths, physics,

computer studies, chemistry, geology, technical

• Electro-technical / technical• Mechanical engineering• Architectures, civil

engineering• Geology, mining, geological• Forestry, agronomics• Chemical engineering• Pharmacology-biochemistry

• Food Technology and Biotechnology

• Textile technology • Faculty of Transport• Maritime studies• Faculty of Metallurgy • Faculty of Graphics• Teachers colleges

Content of entrance exam for 2003/04 – cont.

FOREIGN LANGUAGE• Foreign languages• Teachers college• Management, business, tourism• Maritime studies• Faculty of transport –

aeronautics• Academy of dramatic arts• Educational-rehabilitation

faculty

ICT• Economics• Mathematics• Teacher maths computer

studies• Information Technology

Readiness of freshmen for studying

light – secondarylight – secondary school estimatesschool estimatesdark – Higher education institutions estimates

68,9

02,2 2,2

8,8

60,4

26,4

1,10

1,1

7,8

21,1

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1 2 3 4 5 no answer

%

• High motivation for studies• Individual knowledge and readiness• Good general education, quality of students from some schools

(gymnasiums) • Readiness to acquire new knowledge• Openness and good communication skills• Willingness for independent and creative study

Readiness of students for higher education

Sources of satisfaction

• Inadequate level of knowledge in the subjects important for the field of study

• General lack of knowledge, lack of general knowledge• Unequal readiness of students from different schools, unequal prior

knowledge • Lack of motivation for studies, lack of curiosity, interest, lack of

motivation for high academic achievements • Undeveloped work habits, not knowing how to learn, undeveloped

learning strategies • Not independent in studying• Negative attitude towards learning, unsystematic, bad time

management • Illiteracy, low level of oral and written expression, low language

competence• Acquiring knowledge by mechanical memorizing, reproductive

attitude to knowledge • Insufficient application of knowledge, little practical knowledge and

skills• Low level of responsibility and maturity• Insufficient creativity• Insufficiently active, do not discuss, passive listeners• Do not know how to use reading resources

Readiness of students for higher education

Sources of dissatisfaction

Average estimate of the developed characteristics of freshmen

2.27

2.4

2.45

2.47

2.49

2.56

2.63

2.69

2.92

3.01

3.05

1 2 3 4 5

learning skills

utilizing higher cognitive processes

efficiantcommunication in a foreign language

ability to solve problems in inovative or creative way

practical application of ex isting knowledge in new situations

unrestricted articulation of one's own ideas

motivation for high academic achievement

key knowledge in the subjects important for the field of study

ICT

efficiant communication in Croatian

Curiosity , interest for the field of study

Important competencies for higher education

• Key knowledge in the subjects important for the field of study

• Motivation for studying• Good communication skills in Croatian , literacy• Knowledge of foreign language• Creativeness in problem solving • Computer literacy• Good work ethics and learning skills • Practical application of knowledge • Curiosity • Diligence, persistence• Ability to use higher cognitive processes, intellectual abilities • Inclination for research • Good general education (for social sciences, polytechnics)• Ethics (for medical, teacher)• Talent for art (for artistic, teacher)

Recommendation for introduction of SM

• Passing of the State Matura exam is a condition for further education at the Higher Education Institution in the Republic of Croatia

• The results of the State Matura may be used in place of entrance exam for Higher Education Institution

• The faculties/polytechnics that use the SM results in place of entrance exams determine the content that is relevant for them, the candidate selection

Determining the candidate rank for entrance

• Rank of candidates for entrance into Higher education Institutions is determined by a unique list for all the Universities at the National Exam Centre which implements the State Matura

• Except for the results received on SM the candidate rank is also determined in high proportion by the grade average received throughout secondary education

• The candidate rank is determined for all higher education institutions according to the candidate registration, according to the results received at SM and grade average for secondary education

Quality of exam materials

• The exam materials are based on the existing curriculum, but contain only the content important for further education and are the bases of lifelong learning

• The test used on the SM must be such that they test the candidates ability to solve complex problems and not to reproduce the memorized facts

• The exam results must be standardized and unique for all school regardless of the schools course

institut za društvena istraživanja u zagrebu centar za istraživanje i razvoj obrazovanja the...

Documents

quality of education

state matura development

goals of state matura

european education

goals of secondary education

project ministry of

razvoj obrazovanja proponents

general level of education