Government proclaims "favorable" conclusions from ModA test assessments
In a significant step towards enhancing education transparency and comparability, the ModA exams were administered for the first time this year in digital format in the 4th and 6th grades of Basic Education. These annual tests, held in Portuguese, Mathematics, and rotating subjects, are part of the new external evaluation model presented by the Ministry of Education, Science, and Innovation in July 2024.
The Institute for Educational Assessment (IAVE) has been responsible for ensuring the grading process, with IAVE evaluator teams composed of 289 supervisor teachers overseeing the tests. A total of 343,673 exams were taken at the end of the 1st cycle, and 274,236 at the end of the 2nd cycle.
The results of the ModA tests are particularly balanced, nearing 50 points on a scale of zero to 100. In the case of English, 75% of students have proficient or advanced levels according to the ModA scale, while for Portuguese as a Non-Mother Tongue, 70% of students have similar levels. These positive results demonstrate the need for reflection on the review of learnings and eventually raising those levels.
However, it's crucial to identify the small percentage of students who have "very deep" difficulties in literacies. Secretary of State for Education, Alexandre Homem Cristo, stated that these results already indicate improvements in diagnostics at the end of cycles and alignment with curricular documents.
The first year of application of the tests allows for the building of a comparison base for future years. Alexandre Homem Cristo highlighted the great methodological change of IAVE, placing emphasis on comparability, in a model of construction very close to what are the international tests of the OECD.
The Secretary of State also emphasized the importance of diagnostics for understanding student evolution and class profiling. Diagnostics allow schools to anticipate difficulties and challenges their students might encounter, ensuring a more personalised approach to education.
Looking ahead, English will be tested in the 4th year, and History and Geography of Portugal in the 6th year, in the 2024/2025 school year. Unfortunately, there are no available search results regarding which schools or regions in Portugal achieved the highest results in the ModA tests conducted in 2024/2025 for English (4th grade) and History and Geography of Portugal (6th grade).
The responsible person suggested applying diagnostic tests in various contexts and times during the school year. This approach could provide valuable insights into student progress and help educators tailor their teaching methods to best meet the needs of each student.
In conclusion, the ModA exams have emerged as a structural reform in external assessment, aiming to bring more transparency, predictability, and comparability to the education system in Portugal. The positive results achieved in the first year of application are a promising start towards improving education outcomes for all students.
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