Elementary school recommendations
Compass 4 performance tests are coming soon – it’s already changing the country
Last year there was a lot of criticism after the first edition of Kompass 4. This year everything should be better. How the test has been revised for this.
After a controversial first edition last school year, around 100,000 fourth graders will also be able to read Kompas 4 this year. The German language exam will be held on Wednesday, and the math exam on Thursday.
The test is a more binding elementary school recommendation criterion, first used for today’s fifth graders. Instead of purely parental wishes, there is now a model that consists of three components: teacher recommendations, performance tests, and parental wishes. If two of the three match, that’s the deciding factor. If parents still want to send their child to high school even though it is against the recommendation, then the child must take the test again. However, these recommendations are only binding for high schools.
Last year there was heated debate regarding the first edition of the performance test. Parents and teachers associations complained that the questions were too difficult, especially in mathematics. Therefore, Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann (Green Party) and Education Minister Theresa Schopper (both Green Party) have promised revisions to the test.
Therefore, the Institute for Educational Analyzes (IBBW), which is responsible for its creation, has restructured this year’s exams and, most importantly, tested them specifically in advance. At the end of last school year, 2,700 fourth graders tested the new Compass 4 assignments at 57 elementary schools. There was no such test last year due to lack of time. It is also tested whether there is enough time to complete the task.
Regarding tasks, their creators ensure that subtasks can be completed independently and that only one specific competency is required for each task. In addition, students at weaker levels must also be able to complete the assignments. About half of the questions are at the basic level, a quarter each at the intermediate level, and a quarter at the advanced level.
There is no national primary school diploma
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The ministry also made it a little easier for schools to carry out these tests. This means they no longer have to start the exam at 9am as last year, but can do so between 8.30am and 9.30am. In this way, the Ministry wants to prevent students from becoming restless due to unusual start times and giving rise to the impression of a national primary school diploma.
Prime Minister Kretschmann advised all participants to remain calm. “I want to reassure everyone who is a little nervous to come in,” said the head of government. Compass 4 is not intended to be an exception, but rather an additional opportunity in addition to teacher pedagogy recommendations and potential testing.
dpa
