A workshop on assessment of teaching and learning in the 2018 new general education program was held by the Vietnam Institute of Educational Sciences on October 30, 2024.

Tri commented that testing and assessment provide information that supports the teaching and learning process. Tests not only aim at examining students’ knowledge. The more important goal is finding if the teaching and learning are effective.

He quoted Prof John Hattie as saying that the role of testing and assessment is not ranking students, but examining the effectiveness of teaching and learning. 

Tri said that in the educational science theory about testing and assessment, there are two basic types of tests that assess with certain criteria or assess with standards. 

In recent years, some education experts and parents have repeatedly proposed removing the high school finals after analyzing the results of the finals in previous years.

More than 95 percent of students passed the high school finals, and they believe there is no need to organize an exam if nearly all students pass the exam.

However, Tri disagrees with the view. He said high school final exams are just like exams for a driving license. And the exam must be organized every year even if 100 percent of students pass the exam.

“If exams for driving licenses are not organized, who knows if drivers can use vehicles safely?” he said. 

In the case of high school finals, the exam is organized to show that after a period going to general school, people have basic knowledge they need. The results of the finals show whether students can satisfy basic requirements after finishing general education level and if they can enter a new period.

He said high school finals and university entrance exam play different roles and have two different aims. While the former aims at recognizing someone having basic knowledge, the latter aims at finding the best students for their universities. However, universities can use the results of the finals to enroll students if they find it reasonable.

Thanh Hung