The word evaluation can be closely relate with ‘quality’ and
‘achievement’. Tyler in Eun Bee Lee (1999) give a definition of educational
evaluation as a process of judging an educational goal related with behavioural
objectives through education and class activities. While Eun Bee (1999) stated that education
evaluation is analysis and judgment of the value of an educational input, process
and outcome. However, there are many other definitions of evaluation for
education system. It not necessary relate with the activities in the class only
but it can be evaluation of programs, policy, resources and even the
effectiveness of the institution or the teachers and staff. Educational
evaluation is needed for improvement, for getting feedback and make a reflection
for the goal setting and it also used to provide a measure of performance for marketing purposes. Based
on the evaluation, student progress and performance can be clearly define. For educators,
evaluation is very important to continuously review and enhance the learning
they are facilitate. Here, I just concentrate on two part of evaluation which
emphasize more on the standard quality of the higher institution and the performance evaluation of the student in school.
Evaluation within institutions not
only considered by the performing in teaching and research but also related
with human resource and life in the institute itself. Murray Saunders (2011). According to MQA (Malaysian
Qualifications Agency) there are 9 areas of quality assurance that have been
outline for all higher education Institute in Malaysia which are:
a)
Vision, mission & institutional goals, learning outcomes.
b)
Program design & delivery
c)
Student selection & support
d)
Student assessment system
e)
Academic staff
f)
Educational resources
g)
Program monitoring & review
h)
Leadership, governance & administration
i)
Total continuous quality improvement
Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) finds that there is a need
to recognise the potential Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Higher Education
Institutions (HEIs) in order to further leap them towards internationalisation.
Here where evaluation play a big role to identify ‘best of the best CoE’ in
HEIs at national level. The assessment also will be implemented based on
specific criteria. For a start, there are special evaluation and requirement
for HEI to be awarded as Research University and APEX (Accelerated Program for Excellence).
While in a school system (primary and secondary level),
there are a big issue regarding evaluation of the education when Ministry of
Education (MOE) started a new assessment for student since last 2 years. Move
from central-based to school-based or aspects of school-based student evaluation
or assessment (SBE). This is empowerment where school become more responsible
for student evaluation and no more dependent on other person from outside/agency.
Many country have already implement this evaluation system successfully. But
the most important thing, the Ministry has to be absolutely clear about
implementation. If it been conducted incorrectly, SBE can be abused,
manipulated and their results may be worse. If the fear not properly conducted,
the SBE will take the form of a mini central-based evaluation where the goal of
being diagnostic in nature is lost.
As an educator, in my point of view, this new assessment is
a good step for a new generation to be evaluated based on their capability. However
the chaos that had been went through before this caused by the technical problem
(the on-line system) and there are lack of information provided to the
educators and community especially parents. Another one main problem is there
is no long term planning and it is difficult to gather information regarding
the implementation of SSE in Malaysia. This happen maybe because apart from the
MOE official documents and just a few academic theses, research on that matter
is limited. Other reason is the reports of SSE are not allowed to be made
public without the Minister of Education’s approval. There are still a lot more
to be done in order to improve the school evaluation process in Malaysia.
Lee,Eun Bee(1999). Evaluation of
patient education. Peritoneal Dialysis International, 1999 International
Society for Peritoneal Dialysis. Retrieve on 27 May 2014 http://www.pdiconnect.com/content/19/Suppl_2/S510.full.pdf
Katherine E. Ryan J.Bradley Cousins (2009).The SAGE International Handbook of Educational Evaluation. SAGE
Publications, Inc. Retrieve on 27 May 2014
Malaysian
Qualification Agency www.mqa.gov.my
Ministry of Higher Education. Retrieve on 27 May 2014.
Minister Of
Education, Malaysia – Malaysia Education Blueprint 2013-2025
Hamzah, Mohd Izham
Mohd (2013). A Glimpse Into School
Self-Evaluation in Malaysia: Are We Doing
The Right Things? Or Are We Doing the Things Right?
Canadian Center of
Science and Education.
Interesting structure to the processes however as discussed it is important that the student receives feedback . Lack of transparency the results of evaluation should be available with the outcomes and actions taken as a result of evaluation promoted
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mushala - your account on the pros and cons of evaluation and assessment reminds me of the importance of change management programs.
ReplyDeleteUncertainty and lack of information is a common issue in this case and should obviously be addressed properly. However, it highly depends on governance structure, political decisions and cultural elements of the system - so, never easy to address.
Educational Evaluation
ReplyDelete