PROFICIENCY TESTS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1931, Page 5

PROFICIENCY TESTS

EDUCATION MINISTER EXPLAINS

(By Telegraph.—Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Oct. 30

“Proiicency certificates will be ■ awarded this year in accordance with precisely the same regulations that were in operation last year,” said the Minister of Education in an interview when he denied the 'statement from Dunedin, that the new regulations were being introduced this year, “The tests that will be used will vary very little from those set in former years." Mr Masters said. “In some of the subjects, the time allowed for various papers lias been altered, but the content of the tests and the scale of marks have been correspondingly changed. The only real dilierence made in the assessment of the pupils’ work will be the adoption of a standard of marking in spelling that was in use until two years age. Last year the practice was to mark the spelling in such a way that it was possible for the child to- pass in this subject who had ten errors. As the test is not cine of anc great difficulty and contains only words in common use, it was felt that it was not reasonable to allow any pupil to pass, who made so many mistakes. The statement in a telegram from Dunedin, that there will be no accrediting ibis year, and that many will fait, is surely a reflection on the judgment of the headinasteis, 01. whom the duty falls, as recommending candidates for accrediting by the Department. He does not think that in requiring of all candidates to face an examination will place anyone at a disadvantage. As regards the standard required for a pass, the Department will, as in previous years, adopt every reasonable precaution to see that the work done by the candidates, is assessed uniformly throughout the Dominion, in aceovda,nee with long-es--tablished practice. The in pect-r* will, in all doubtful cases, confer with the class teacher and the head teacher before the results are determined.”