Modern Examination Tendency

Extract

(1) The institution of Local Education Authorities in 1902. These Authorities have been able to survey over a wide range of Secondary Schools the working of the examination system and to estimate to some extent its effects on Secondary Education as a whole. Consequent on this, but not wholly the result of it, came some general reforms, e.g. the formation of the Secondary Schools Examination Council. But L.E.A.’s are also involved in the examination system as examiners, since they test candidates for scholarships and free places in Secondary Schools. Their examination view-point is therefore a wide one, embracing that of both teacher and examiner. The full effect of this dual point of view has not yet matured, but some innovations or improvements in junior scholarship examinations have already resulted from it; for instance, the development of the oral examination and the use of the teacher’s assessment of a pupil. In some areas, too, teachers participate in marking scripts. Examinations of School Certificate standard are so far little affected, but it would be in accord with the trend of events if the wide powers of University Examining Authorities were further modified and the school record of the candidate made to play a more important part in the examination than at present.