Examining the importance of educators' assessment practices in the classroom : a case study for learners who experience barriers to learning in senior phase in Tshwane North District
Year: 2021
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The study explored the significance of educator’s assessment practices for learners who experience barriers to learning within the senior phase in Tshwane North District. The goal of the study was to explore the challenges that affect educators’ assessment practices for learners experiencing barriers to learning within Senior Phase. The study used the conceptual system based on the framework recommended by Hargreaves, Earl, and Schmidt (2002). The framework comprised four viewpoints which incorporate technological, cultural, political, and post-modern measurements. The model is exceptionally accommodating in explaining and justifying educator’s assessment practices. \nA phenomenological case study design was adopted in this study. Qualitative data collection instruments were used to gather data. The participants included 4 educators, 4 Deputy Principals, 4 Institutional Level Support Team (ILST) Coordinators, and 4 School Assessment Team (SAT) Coordinators. In addition, the other participants from District Office included the Head of District Assessment Team (DAT) and the Head of the District Level Support Team (DLST). Content analysis was utilised to dissect the data which was gathered in the study. The study revealed various barriers that hinder assessment practices when assessing learners experiencing barriers to learning. Amongst others overcrowding, non-availability of resources, lack of training of educators in assessing learners experiencing barriers to learning, insufficient parental involvement, insufficient support from the ILST and the DLST emerged as factors which negatively affected educators’ assessment practices in inclusive education classrooms. The results in this study resulted in the development of a Comprehensive Inclusive Classroom Assessment Model (CICAM) for Senior Phase secondary school educators in Tshwane North District. The researcher developed a model which responds to the needs of learners experiencing barriers to learning so that their pedagogical and assessment needs are catered for adequately. The model showed the convergence of different stakeholders which are required on board for inclusive education assessment experience for educators and learners to be effective and efficient as well. It was recommended that inclusive assessment practices should be flexible and provide tailor-made assessment practices which accommodate all learners despite their diversity. In this regard it was further recommended that assessment in inclusive classrooms should be adapted to ensure that assessment practices address the pedagogical and psychological needs of all learners in the classroom. The researcher believes that legitimate and adequate training can provide educators with clarity around what is anticipated of when assessing learners who experience barriers to learning. One of the recommendations is that teacher development and an ongoing support from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) needs to become a priority.
Author: Gladness Nwacoye Mpya
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3194058101