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EDUCATIONAL ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION SYSTEM
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- Published on Wednesday, 25 January 2012 13:19
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Bologna process. In 1999 in the city of Bologna, a declaration creating a single European educational space was signed, launching the initiative currently known as the Bologna Process. For a decade of its existence, the number of countries that have joined this process increased from 29 to 47. Ukraine joined the Bologna Process in 2005.
In 2004, Ukrainian institutions of higher learning started the transition to a new knowledge assessment system. In accordance with Order No 943 of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, dated October 16, 2009, the credit-transfer system is being introduced in Ukrainian institutions of higher learning along with its key concepts (“Student Application Form,” “Study Agreement,” “Practical Training and Quality Commitment Agreement,” “Academic Statement,” and “Supplement to the European-Standard Diploma”).
ECTS. The hours allocated for a subject must include hours of lectures, laboratory and other practicals and seminars, consultations, self-paced and individual work and control sessions. In the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System, 60 credits correspond to one full academic year. Accordingly, one ECTS credit is equivalent to 1,800/60 = 30 hours, on the average, where 1,800 is the average number of academic hours and 60 – the number of credits equivalent to a full academic year. Credits are awarded on common terms for general subjects taught under junior specialist curricula on the basis of a basic general secondary education. The state final examinations are not subject to crediting, that is, the hours allocated for them are not included in the credit total.
The distribution of credits among subject cycles and setting a minimum number of credits for pre-requisite subjects (practicals, term and qualifying papers) are determined in the higher education industrial standard. An institution of higher learning has the discretion to set credits for optional subjects (practice works and term papers), and may also move part of the credits in the variable component of educational content to the credit pool of pre-requisite subjects (practicals, term and qualifying papers). It is the prerogative of an institution of higher learning to design the curricula components and set credits for optional subjects.
The maximum number of in-class hours per credit is 16 for students of the bachelor and junior specialist qualification degrees, 14 for specialists, and 10 for masters. The remaining time is for self-paced study.
The maximum weekly in-class load (including hours of the non-credited subject “Physical Education”) may not exceed 30 hours for students pursuing the bachelor and junior specialist qualification degrees, 24 hours for the specialist degree pursuers, and 18 hours for pursuers of masters’ degrees. Credit tests are usually held at the final seminar, laboratory or practical class.
Knowledge assessment. Before 2004, Ukrainian institutions of higher learning used the old (4-point) knowledge assessment scale. Starting from 2004, some institutions of higher learning (in some of their departments) began to use the ECTS accumulation scale in parallel with the 4-point scale as part of an experiment to introduce a credit module assessment system. Since the 2006/2007 academic year, the ECTS requirements have been implemented for first-year students in all institutions of higher learning, specifically:
- academic achievements are measured in ECTS points;
- the modules have been described in accordance with the ECTS requirements; and
- examination results are evaluated on the ECTS scale (A–Fx).
Marks of the extended scale are awarded on the basis of the point accumulation scale of the institution of higher learning.
| Accumulation scale interval | Extended scale mark | 5-point scale equivalent |
| 90 and up | Excellent | 5 |
| 80-89 | Very good | 4.5 |
| 65-79 | Good | 4 |
| 55-64 | Satisfactory | 3.5 |
| 50-54 | Sufficient | 3 |
| 35-49 | Insufficient | 2 |
| 1-34 | Failed | 1 |
CLASSIFICATION OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
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In terms of ownership form, institutions of higher learning in Ukraine may be state, communal, or private. Regardless of their ownership form, they have equal rights and provide an equation of the same quality. Ukrainian institutions of higher learning are classified by types as follows; universities, academies, institutes, conservatories (music academies), colleges, and technical schools.
University is a multidisciplinary institution of higher learning of the IV accreditation level that provides higher education within a broad range of humanities, economic, natural, and other studies, and is a leading research and methodology center. There may be classic and specialized universities.
A university is recognized as classic if it prepares specialists in at least eight areas of study, as well as doctors of philosophy and doctors of science in at least twelve research fields, including at least two liberal arts, economic, natural studies or technical specializations.
A specialized university is recognized as such if it prepares professionals in at least four areas of study, as well as doctors of philosophy and doctors of science in at least eight research fields, including at least six specialization areas (except for arts and higher military educational institutions (higher educational institutions with special study conditions).
Institute is an institution of higher learning of the III or IV accreditation levels or a structural unit of a university, which provides higher education in a specific area of study, education, culture, or manufacture.
Academy is an institution of higher learning of the IV accreditation level, which operates to provide a specific higher education, helping students to obtain a qualification in a specific area of science, industry, education, culture, and arts, engages in fundamental and applied research, being a leading research and methodology center in its specialization area, and has the relevant level of human and material resources.
An academy is recognized if it prepares specialists in two areas of education and doctors of philosophy and doctors of science in at least two research fields (except for arts and higher military educational institutions (higher educational institutions with special study conditions)).
Conservatory is an institution of higher learning of the ІІІ or IV accreditation levels that provides a higher education in the field of culture and the arts.
College is an institution of higher learning of the ІІ accreditation level or a structural unit of an educational institution of the ІІІ or IV accreditation levels that provides a higher education in related areas or in several specialization fields.
A professional college is created if its daytime departments have at least five hundred people.
Technical school is an institution of higher learning of the І accreditation level or a structural unit of an educational institution of the ІІІ or IV accreditation levels that provides a higher education in several related specialization fields.
Universities, academies, institutes, and conservatories may train students under any type of academic program (junior specialist, bachelor, specialist, master, candidate of sciences), as well as under post-graduate programs. A university (academy) may be awarded with national status for excellence in research activities.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
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Vocational education is a system of training qualified workers. Vocational education is a component of the educational system of Ukraine. It is a complex of teaching and organizational arrangements aimed at helping people to acquire knowledge, abilities, and skills in their chosen vocational areas.
Vocational education is acquired in vocational educational institutions under a day-time, evening (shift-based), intra-extra mural, distance learning, and external study arrangement, on the job and off the job, and under individual curricula. The pre-requisite for vocational education is a basic or complete secondary education.
Types of vocational educational institutions:
- vocational educational institution of a specific specialization profile;
- vocational school of social rehabilitation;
- higher vocational school;
- vocational lyceum;
- vocational lyceum of a specific specialization profile;
- vocational school of arts;
- vocational and technical school of arts;
- higher vocational and technical school of arts;
- school-agro-industrial firm;
- higher school-agro-industrial firm;
- school-factory;
- vocational and technical education center;
- vocational education center;
- production training center;
- training and re-training center for workers;
- vocational training facility;
- training center and others.
The academic year in vocational educational institutions may not exceed 40 academic weeks. During the term of study, students are required to pass current, subject-oriented, intermediate, and exit knowledge quality control. The exit knowledge quality control takes place at the end of the study cycle and envisages qualification examinations that include:
- trial qualification work meeting specific vocational qualification requirements for graduates of a vocational educational institution of the appropriate accreditation level; and
- the need to defend a graduation work or project, or an equivalent creative work.
Vocational education has different stages. Such stages are reflected in respective qualification levels, specialization complexity levels, and educational levels. Each stage of study in a vocational educational institution has its theoretical and practical completion and confirmed by awarding the graduates (students) the qualification degrees of Qualified Worker and Junior Specialist in accordance with their acquired professional knowledge, abilities, and skills.
A graduate of a vocational educational institution who successfully passes the qualification examinations is awarded the qualification degree of Qualified Worker of the appropriate category in the selected specialization field.
A graduate who completed a course of study in an accredited higher vocational school or vocational center of a specific accreditation level may be awarded the qualification degree of Junior Specialist.
HIGHER EDUCATION LEVELS AND DEGREES
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With the adoption of the Law of Ukraine «On Higher Education» in 2014, there were changes in the structure of educational levels and degrees of higher education. The main changes were related to the degrees of Junior Specialist, Specialist and Сandidate of Sciences, which were replaced by the degrees of Junior Bachelor, Master and Doctor of Philosophy/Doctor of Art. These changes were implemented gradually. So the last admission to the Junior Specialist programs took place in 2019, to the Specialist programs - in 2016, to the Candidate of Sciences programs - in 2015.
The structure of modern system of higher education includes the following higher education levels:
- initial level (short cycle) of higher education
- first (bachelor's) level
- second (master's) level
- third (educational-scientific/educational-artistic) level.
Obtaining higher education at each level implies successful completion of higher education program, which is the basis for awarding the appropriate higher education degree:
- Junior Bachelor
- Bachelor
- Master
- Doctor of Philosophy/Doctor of Art.
Junior Bachelor`s degree is an educational or professional degree obtained at the initial level (short cycle) of higher education and awarded by a higher education institution after successful completion of higher education program of 120 ECTS credits. If the junior bachelor degree is obtained on the basis of professional prehigher education, a higher education institution has the right to recognize and transfer ECTS credits, the maximum amount of which is determined by the standard of higher education.
A person has the right to apply for the junior bachelor's degree programs provided that he/she has complete general secondary education.
Bachelor's degree is an educational degree obtained at the first level of higher education and awarded by a higher education institution after successful completion of an educational-professional program of 180-240 ECTS credits. If the bachelor's degree is obtained on the basis of junior bachelor degree or professional junior bachelor degree, a higher education institution has the right to recognize and transfer the ECTS credits, the maximum amount of which is determined by the standard of higher education.
A person has the right to apply to the bachelor degree programs provided that he/she has complete general secondary education.
Master's degree is an educational degree obtained at the second level of higher education and awarded by a higher education institution (scientific institution) after successful completion of the relevant educational-professional or educational-scientific program. The volume of the educational-professional master's program is 90-120 ECTS credits, the volume of the educational-scientific program is 120 ECTS credits. The master's educational-scientific program shall include a research (scientific) component of at least 30 percent.
A person has the right to apply to the master's degree programs provided he/she has a bachelor's degree.
The master's degree in medicine, pharmacy or veterinary specialization is obtained on the basis of complete general secondary education, junior bachelor degree, professional junior bachelor, or junior specialist in the relevant specialty. If the master's degree in medicine, pharmacy or veterinary specialization is obtained on the basis of complete general secondary education, the volume of the program should be 300-360 ECTS credits. In cases when the master's degree in medicine, pharmacy or veterinary specialization is obtained on the basis of junior bachelor or professional junior bachelor, a higher education institution can recognize and transfer ECTS credits, the maximum amount of which is determined by the higher education standard.
Doctor of Philosophy Philosophy is an educational and at the same time scientific degree obtained at the third level of higher education on the basis of master's degree. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy is awarded by a specialized scientific council of a higher education institution or scientific institution based on the results of successful completion of the relevant educational-scientific program (four years) and public defense of dissertation. The volume of the educational component of the educational-scientific program of the Doctor of Philosophy is 30-60 ECTS credits.
Doctor of Art is an educational and creative degree obtained at the third level of higher education on the basis of master's degree. The degree of Doctor of Art is awarded by a specialized higher education institution’s council in the field of art after successful implementation of the relevant educational program (three years) and public defense of the art project. The volume of the educational component of the educational and creative program of Doctor of Art is 30-60 ECTS credits.
"The system of higher education levels and degrees before 2014 and during the transition period"
KNOWLEDGE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM
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Approaches to knowledge assessment in the system of general secondary education of Ukraine are based on the Criteria for Assessing Knowledge of Pupils in the System of General Secondary Education approved by Order No 329 of the Ministry of Education and Science, Youth and Sports of Ukraine, dated April 13, 2011.
According to the applicable legislation of Ukraine, the academic results showed by pupils in subjects of the invariable component of the curriculum of an educational institution are subject to mandatory assessment.
Since 2000, Ukrainian schools have been measuring the knowledge of their pupils on a 12-point scale introduced by Order No 428/48 of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, dated September 4, 2000 and titled “On the Introduction of a 12-point Scale for Assessing Academic Achievements of Students in the System of General Secondary Education”.
Teachers measure the knowledge, abilities, and skills of the first-year pupils verbally in an informal manner. But starting from the next year and on, such assessment is made on a 12-point scale, with marks ranging from 1 to 12 awarded.
Academic achievements of children with special educational needs are assessed in accordance with the requirements of applicable legislation of Ukraine.
The object of assessment in the system of general secondary education is the result of the day-by-day study efforts of pupils in class and at home.
The assessment is made upon the results of the following test types:
- verbal (individual, in-group, and head-on quizzes);
- written (independent work and tests);
- graphic (work with diagrams, graphs, charts, outline maps); and
- practical (various experiments and learning projects, work with bio material, and handicraft).
The assessment system has 4 (four) academic achievement measurement tiers:
- first tier – the lowest (1-3 points). The pupil’s answer is fragmentary, evincing only introductory ideas of the subject;
- second tier – medium (4-6 points). The pupil can repeat the basic studied material, is able to complete tasks following a model, and has elementary learning skills;
- third tier — sufficient (7-9 points). The pupil knows the essential features of notions, phenomena, and relations among them, is able to explain basic regularities and applies the acquired knowledge independently in standard situations, and has developed such mental capacities as analysis, abstraction, and generalization. The pupil’s answer is correct, logical, and well-reasoned, although the pupil is lacking in his/her own judgments;
- fourth tier – high (10-12 points). The pupil has profound, strong, and systemic knowledge; the pupil is capable of applying it to creative tasks, his/her academic activities are marked with the ability to independently evaluate various situations, phenomena, and facts, formulate and defend his/her own position.
Each consecutive tier of requirements includes the requirements of the previous one and adds new ones.
If the academic achievements of a pupil fail to meet any of the said assessment tiers, the mark of “failed” is given in this case.
When measuring the academic achievements of pupils, the following aspects are taken into consideration:
- evaluation of his/her answer: correct, logical, substantiated, integrative;
- knowledge quality;
- development of general and subject-specific abilities and skills;
- command of such mental operations as analysis, synthesis, comparison, classification, generalization, conclusion, etc.;
- ability to identify problems and resolve them, ability to formulate hypotheses; and
- independence of evaluative judgments.
On the consent of local education authorities, educational institutions may use other academic achievement assessment systems in their practice. However, the marks awarded upon the results of a semester, year, and the state final examination have to be converted into points. Senior schools hold examinations in three subjects:
- Ukrainian language (the retelling is compulsory);
- History of Ukraine (compulsory for pupils of the universal study profile) or major subject (for pupils studying in specialization classes);
- Any subject from the invariable at the pupil’s choice.
After finishing their schooling for a complete general secondary education, graduates are subjected to an external independent knowledge assessment in the form or a written test in one or several optional subjects required for enrollment in an institution of higher learning. The results of the external independent knowledge assessment are regarded as results of the entrance examinations of the institution of higher learning. The external independent knowledge assessment is administered by the Ukrainian Knowledge Quality Assessment Center in cooperation with local education authorities, oblast institutions of post-graduate pedagogical studies, and educational institutions. In the competition for enrollment in an institution of higher learning, the average score of the certificate of complete general secondary education is also taken into account.
The development chronology of the knowledge assessment system in Ukraine is as follows:
In 1935, five verbal marks are introduced in Soviet schools: “very bad,” “bad,” “acceptable” “good,” and “very good.”
Starting from 1945, academic achievements of pupils in Soviet Ukraine are measured on a 5-point scale — "5", "4", "3", "2", and "1".
In 1993, the knowledge assessment scale was reduced to four points — "5", "4", "З", and "2."
Since 2000, schools in Ukraine have been using a 12-point knowledge assessment scale.
| knowledge assessment scale | Marks | |||||||||||
| 4-point | 2- | 2 | 2+ | 3- | 3 | 3+ | 4- | 4 | 4+ | 5- | 5 | 5+ |
| 12-point | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |