Enhancing objectivity in Internal assessment in Mathematics at Secondary level

This has reference to the Board’s circular number 14, dated 29th June, 06 with regard to internal assessment in Mathematics at Secondary stage. As stated in the earlier communication, the new scheme of assessment in Mathematics for class X March 2007 examination will comprise of two components:

Theory Examination : 80 marks

Internal Assessment : 20 marks

The said circular also clarified that an intemal assessment of 20% (20 marks) is to be awarded on the basis of performance of a student in activity work, project work and continuous assessment as per the following scheme.

• Assessment of skills on the basis of year ­ending formal examination in activity work : 10 marks

• Assessment of Project work : 05 marks

• Continuous assessment through formative and summative tests : 05 marks

It is hoped that all necessary steps have been taken by your institution for effective implementation of the scheme ensuring optimum objectivity in assessment.

The following aspects of the scheme, as mentioned in the earlier circular are reiterated and deserve your special attention:

(a) A formal year-ending examination is to be conducted at school level to assess the activity work and project work done by every student during the year.

(b) This examination may be spread over a minimum period of an hour and a half for a group of 15-20 students. The allotted time may be increased to even two or two and a half hours duration depending upon the size of the group.

(c) Every student may be asked to perform at least two out of the following given activities during the allotted time for assessment of any two skills. Numerical ability, observation and ability to see patterns, thinking analytically, understanding logic, skills of comparison, interpretation and drawing inference, problem solving, decision making, spatial analysis and interpretation, skills of games.

(d) A team of two teachers may assess the performance of activity work in the examination. The teacher should go around the group during the time the activity is being performed and sign the answer sheets after observing the activity being perform by the student.

(e) Every student has to maintain a proper record of activity work done during the year. Separate report of the project work, preferably hand written, is also to be prepared by every student.

(f) Every school must maintain a complete record of student’s activity work, project work and the procedure adopted for assessment of the same, including the answer sheets.

(g) As mentioned in the earlier circular, the break-up of 10 marks for assessment of single activity could be as under:

• Statement of objective -01 mark

• Design of approach to activity -02 marks

• Actual conduct of activity -03 marks

• Explanation of procedure and observations -03 marks

• Result and conclusion -01 mark

(h) The break-up of 05 marks for assessment of project work could be as

• Identification & statement of project -01 mark

• Design of project -01 mark

• Expression of procedure adopted -01 mark

• Write-up of project -01 mark

• Interpretation of result -01 mark

(i) Continuous assessment in the form of formative .and summative tests may be carried out as under:

(i) Reduce the marks obtained by the student in class IX Annual Examination to marks out of 10.

(ii) Reduce the marks obtained by the student in first term examination in class X to marks out of 10.

(iii) Add the marks (i) and (ii) above and work out for the marks out of 20.

(iv) Reduce it to marks out of 05. These marks may then be added to the marks for project work and assessment of activity work for calculation of total marks out of 20. The list of marks obtained by every student (out of 20) is to be sent to the Board’s office as per the directions issued by examination unit.

(j) The major objective of introducing the concept of Mathematics laboratory and internal assessment at secondary level is to make teaching-learning of the subject an interactive, activity-based, life-related and fun-filling experience. The scheme primarily aims at helping the student learn the basic and essential concepts and skills by doing simple activities and projects. Every effort should be made to make the assessment process as objective as possible.

Every school is required to maintain proper record of the activity work, project work and the assessment related documents for a period of six months. Any school may be asked to submit the same to the Board, if need be.