MBO schools are given space for alternative examinations
Teaching teams in MBO are given the space to test and assess students' professional skills in a different way if internships or practical exams are compromised. They can, among other things, give replacement assignments, according to the 'Guide to Responsible Diploma Decision' drawn up by the Ministry of Education in consultation with the education sector.
Image: Techniekbeeldbank.nu
De guide (search for 'Covid-19') is intended for students who can complete their education up to and including 31 December 2020. Many questions have arisen in recent days and weeks about the examinations in MBO. How can students in vocational education now complete their education? With the guide, the ministry - in consultation with the education field - tries to give schools and teams the space to provide tailor-made solutions.
The responsibility lies where it should lie: with teaching teams and examination boards
“The responsibility lies where it should lie: with teacher teams and examination boards. I think that's positive ”, he said AObdriver Tamar van Gelder. “Lecturers will have to map out for all graduate students how far they are, which gaps still exist and which replacement tests or assignments they could do. That requires a lot of thinking and creativity and it will also entail a considerable workload. ”
To approve
An important part of MBO courses is practical training. Due to the corona crisis, not all students can complete these practical internships. If students have achieved the learning objectives, study programs may still approve an aborted internship. If learning objectives are still open and there is no alternative internship available, teachers can have students complete a replacement assignment. For students with practical exams that cannot be completed at school or at a workplace, teachers must identify which core tasks have not yet been completed. Here too, teachers can choose an alternative exam format for missing components.
For the optional components and the math component, school boards are given the freedom to cancel the exams. They did not count in the fail / fail rule, but according to the law they do have to be examined. This obligation will no longer apply to students who can complete their studies before the end of this year.
Accountable
Changes to the examination must be submitted to the Examination Board for approval in advance. He must be able to justify himself afterwards to the Education Inspectorate about the examination quality and the assurance of the diplomas.
The guide emphatically states that teachers must properly document and substantiate the assessments in the diploma file. “The intention is that there is also a mix of assessments where necessary, so that evidence is provided from different sides. This burden of proof must prevent the appearance of subjectivity. I understand that, at the same time we also have to keep an eye on the administrative pressure that is involved ”, says Van Gelder.
This burden of proof must avoid the appearance of subjectivity. At the same time, we also have to keep an eye on the administrative burden involved
The national corona measures have not only closed the MBO schools themselves, but also many companies and institutions where MBO students gain work experience or take exams. For example, all catering establishments and hairdressers are closed. Next Tuesday takes the cabinet will make a decision on all measures announced up to and including 6 April. Some of the MBO institutions have already decided themselves that they will stay closed longer, for example until the May holidays.
Last week became a first service document (search for 'Covid-19' for the most recent document) published to help MBO institutions on their way. Van Gelder: “The new guide and the service document are regularly updated if necessary. The experiences and feedback from the teams are included in this. ”
