Soon, Goa board to change assessment system from Class IX

Panaji: Soon, students from Classes IX to XII in Goa are likely to be assessed not only based on memory-based written tests, but assessments of their overall competencies, interests, aptitudes, and talents. As recommended by the National Education Policy (NEP), the Goa Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has already begun training teachers to employ a mix of different methods to assess students’ competencies.
The assessment will result in holistic progress cards (HPCs), which the NCERT has recommended for adoption across the various central and state boards.
In Classes IX and XI, for instance, the assessment will be done during Term I through classroom assessments using the holistic progress cards, which will include different methods such as portfolio assessment, self-assessment, peer assessment, teacher observation, group work, laboratory activities and group discussions.
Meanwhile, the end-term assessment will employ a competency-based approach using the integrated test management system (ITMS), which will allow teachers to select content and questions from a predefined question bank. Term II will mirror Term I's classroom assessment methods but additionally include project work and paper presentations.
Already, 118 teachers across Goa have been trained in March by Goa board through a team from the NCERT’s Parakh.
For Classes X and XII, as per Parakh’s framework, the assessment will be divided similarly into two terms, Term I will feature classroom assessments through HPCs, involving portfolio assessment, self-assessment, peer assessment, teacher observation, group work and laboratory activities.
“The end term assessment will continue with competency-based assessments using ITMS, with teachers selecting from the question bank Term II will introduce formative assessment with additional components such as project work, paper presentations with viva voice, and group discussions. The summative assessment will consist of a common paper consisting of long answers, short answers, very short answers, and multiple choice questions (MCQs) linking with the learning outcomes, based on the question paper design and blueprint,” the Parakh framework states.
The weightage of formative and summative marks will be adjusted progressively from Class XI to Class XII, increasing the emphasis on summative assessment as learners advance in grades.
“This assessment framework will ensure a balanced mix of formative (ongoing) and summative (end-term) assessments, providing a holistic assessment of learners' capabilities and readiness for higher education or professional paths. The diverse assessment methods, including portfolios, self-assessment, and competency-based assessments, will comprehensively measure various facets of learning and skills of learners,” the Parakh framework provided to boards states.