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Salient. Victoria University Students' Newspaper. Vol. 38 No. 23. September 19, 1975
NZUSA Assessment Supplement
NZUSA Assessment Supplement
"It is sometimes claimed that students are graded by universities in the same way that eggs are graded by packing stations. This, however, is untrue. There are only two important variables determining the quality of an egg — its size and its freshness and both of these are pretty accurately controlled by packing stations. The quality of a student's exam performance is, however, determined by a mass of variables (for example, memory, clarity and originality of thought, articulateness, luck as to which questions appear), none of which is on its own accurately expressed in the single grade awarded to each student Thus from the point of view of accurate grading the egg gets a better deal than the student." A. P. Ratensis.
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The Assessment System
| E.4 | That NZUSA believes that methods of assessment should he appropriate to the needs of students and the nature of the learning process. |
| E.5 | That NZUSA believes that assessment for the purpose of grading should not be undertaken by educational institutions. |
| E.6 | That NZUSA believes that a student should be able to choose the form of assessment most appropriate to his/her situation. Note: The method of assessment to encompass internal assessment, final examination and any other means. |
| E.7 | That NZUSA continue to research and publicise the ideological use of assessment in our society. |
| E.8 | That NZUSA publicise, promote debate on, and encourage research into the effects of different teaching methods on students. |
| E.9 | That NZUSA urge those universities with "terms" requirements to abolish these requirements. |
| E.10 | That NZUSA believes that the placing of code numbers instead of students' names on examination papers is desirable in the interests of unbiased marking. |
In order to carry out these policies the education section of NZUSA has prepared a large amount of material on Assessment for the information of, and use by students. This includes posters, handbills, this supplement for student news-papers, and forums at which students will be able to express their opinions and their gripes about the way they are being assessed, and to put forward their suggestions as to action that could be taken
In line with our policies this is intended to encourage students to think about the way they are being assessed and why and means of improving their own work situation. It is not intended to tell students how they should be assessed, or what forms of assessment are better than others, as this varies greatly among courses and people. We hope that students will participate in this and that it will lead to efforts to improve their work situations. Only if students actively involve themselves in actioning the policies of NZUSA, can the changes we are working for be achieved.
Sue Green,
Education Vice-President, NZUSA.