CENTRAL BOARD OF SECONDARY EDUCATION

(An Autonomous Organization under the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India )

CBSE/CM/CCE-notification/2012

November 2, 2012

NOTIFICATION OF CLARIFICATIONS REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT UNDER CONTINUOUS AND COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION FORMATIVE AND SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENTS The approach of Central Board of Secondary Education has always been inclusive of the views expressed by its important stakeholders in initiatives taken from time to time. The Board gathers systematic information on various issues by interacting with stakeholders through various modes such as meetings, discussions involving core groups, observations and other forms of information gathering exercises such as online/offline surveys and questionnaires. The feedback received from different people provide valuable insights on how people are responding to the changes introduced, what needs to be further strengthened and how the processes can be made more effective etc. The Board has also been conducting an online survey through its website on School based Assessment under Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) in addition to above measures. The most common responses received through different modes reflect that some of the schools and teachers are still indulging in either inappropriate activities or conducting activities in a manner inappropriate for the School Based Assessment Scheme. It has been noticed quite often that teachers are not yet ready to give up teacher-centered methods they used to follow in earlier system despite the numerous orientation workshops done over the last three years by the Board. Though the Board has already issued guidelines in this regard through its advisory number 58/2010 and advised schools about this issue through advisory number Circular No 1, January 2010, and again Circular No 1, 2011, however, in view of constant feedback in this reference, the Board once again, considers it worthwhile to share some of the observations with all the schools affiliated to it. The appropriate way as proposed by the scheme is also highlighted against each observation:

Central Board of Secondary Education

November 2,2012

Observation

What should schools do?

Schools are assigning Schools have been requested to follow a crosstoo many projects in curricular approach in case of projects. Artificial each individual subject to subject boundaries impede contextualized

students learning and deprive students of exploring the of different forms of

which most of time interconnectedness

compel students to do knowledge. Moreover the transfer of knowledge these projects at home. from one subject to other can most effectively be More clarification about demonstrated and strengthened through

projects is required from multidisciplinary projects. the CBSE. The number Theories of social learning form the basis of

of projects should be assigning group projects to students. Students made tangible. specific and while working in groups learn how to share, compromise and to resolve issues with their peer and teachers. It is therefore once again highlighted that team of teachers may formulate in-school inter-subject projects and rubrics required to assess by incorporating inputs from different subjects. Schools are therefore advised to assign a maximum of 2 comprehensive group projects (One is to be evaluated with SA-I and the other with SA-II) covering each of the five major subjects i.e. English / Hindi, Maths, Science, Social Sciences. The target and rubric of assessments must be shared with the group of students beforehand. Effective monitoring and objective assessment of interdisciplinary group projects must be ensured by all the school. Schools are still taking The basic assumption of Formative Assessment irrational number of is that every child can improve. When children engaged in activities they feel like

pen-paper tests, and are are

assigning indiscriminate participating in the assessment process, watching

Central Board of Secondary Education

November 2,2012

assignments, homework.

projects, themselves grow, feeling in control of their success, and believing that continued success is within their reach if they keep trying. It is, therefore, once again highlighted that multiple modes of assessment such as, quizzes, debates, group discussions, cross curricular group projects ,and if need be, only one pen and paper test may be used while doing formative assessments. It must be clearly communicated to all teachers that activities, assignments and Cross Curricular Group Projects must be done in the class and within school duration under the direct supervision of teachers only. The number of pen-paper Formative Assessment must not exceed than one per subject in any case. Other modes of assessment must also be a part of formative assessments and the best of these assessments may be counted towards the grades.

Teachers

constantly Learner and teacher both should work to build a

examining the informal relationship based on mutual trust and respect. behavior of students in Teacher as a senior partner must take lead in the name of evaluating establishing a positive environ for the students. attitudes and values of As students learn to comply with acceptable students. behavior through positive reinforcement,

teachers should not behave like a moral watchdog. Constant surveillance of students behavior in threatening ways is highly

undesirable in schools and teachers should be advised to refrain from such practices under all circumstances. The students must be Teachers must also bear in mind that the ultimate informed about the success at learning is determined by an

assessment criteria to emotional reaction of students to the assessment

Central Board of Secondary Education

November 2,2012

include transparency marks. in

more results. When used effectively, assessment the results always trigger an optimistic response from within the learner. It may be done by providing students a clear, student- friendly vision of the importance of an activity, its relevance, the process to be followed, the rubrics of assessment and achievement target to be achieved. This may be supplemented by providing the learners a continued access to descriptive feedback, which consists not merely of grades or scores, but most importantly, of focused guidance to the learning target. This will provide preparation time and facilitate the discussions and construction of learning

experiences by students. Teacher made tests are All assessments especially those created by not objective and classroom teachers must be accurate,

assessment of skills is producing dependable evidence of learning in rife with subjectivity. all contexts at all times. Schools need to ensure Schools, therefore, must ensure to provide that all teachers get opportunities for the continuous professional meaningful about CCE teachers training development of their teachers. There is a and the training calendar available at the website of manuals the Board http://cbseacademic.in/ Schools are

prepared by CBSE to requested to visit the website for getting their ensure objective teachers suitably oriented. Apart from

implementation of CCE

orientation, schools must also provide ways and means to them for working in teams for learning from each others experiences to optimize learning in a stress free but thought provoking environment. The assessment of Co-Curricular skills should be done in as transparent a way as possible. It is once again highlighted that the team of teachers

Central Board of Secondary Education

November 2,2012

should objectively and collectively discuss the performance of students in Life Skills, CoCurricular Skills, Attitudes and Values. Final grades should be awarded on the basis of recommendation of the team of teachers. Community and school Collaboration with community is one of the interface is missing in important aims of the scheme of School Based almost all the schools. Assessment under Continuous and

Parents are not informed Comprehensive Evaluation. Positive partnership regarding changes introduced. academic with parents leads to a higher degree of being ownership in parents for the programs conducted by schools. Therefore school are advised to interact with parents on regular basis through various channels such as Parents Teachers Meetings, School Management Committees meetings to establish a positive environment of mutual trust to promote the ultimate wellbeing of student. A dialogue with parents provides crucial information which is needed to find out the actual progress that students have made over time and what they might do to support their childrens further learning. This, in addition to helping students, also precludes notion of subjectivity and bias against schools in the minds of parents. Parents can be invited for volunteering in curricular or co-curricular activities. Moreover parents as members of PTA/SMC may be included in the process of taking important decisions about curriculum.

Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation scheme is based on a broader objective of equal opportunities for all and therefore the board solicits cooperation of all the stakeholders to make this constitutional aim a reality. If all sections work collaboratively, CCE would facilitate the development of a culture of diversity, trust and meaningful learning in schools.
Central Board of Secondary Education November 2,2012