VMBO exams still go wrong too often
The administration of centrally written practical exams (CSPE) in VMBO is not always going smoothly. Last school year, 15 percent of the schools did not comply with all guidelines and rules, the Education Inspectorate reports.
'This is socially unacceptable. Pupils have the right to the certainty of a valuable diploma, 'says Chief Inspector Monique Vogelzang in the research report. Profession-oriented subjects conclude pre-vocational secondary education students with a cspe. During the previous examination period, the inspectorate carried out random samples and checked whether the schools followed the rules that apply to the preparation, administration and assessment of the exams.
Better
Uit the research It appears that the administration of exams is better than in 2013. The prescribed materials and aids were used at 95 percent of the schools. In 2013 this was still 86 percent. Examiners also helped much less often in 2016 than in 2013 and the exams were assessed according to the standard.
What else went wrong? They did not use the prescribed material, the candidates received help or assignments were not carried out as intended or were not assessed according to the standard. The schools that did not meet the guidelines were given a repair order.
Recommendations
The inspectorate makes recommendations in the report. School boards must make proper agreements and protocols, comply with and supervise them. They can also make written arrangements with examiners who sign for confidentiality and school boards should make professional demands of examiners and give them sufficient time to perform their duties. The inspectorate welcomes training of examiners.
In 2018, the inspectorate will again examine the exams in pre-vocational secondary education.
