School Based Assessment or SBA has been a part of the CXC examinations assessment structure from its first examinations in 1979. The SBA has generally been accepted as an excellent form of assessment and many other international examinations boards have since followed CXC and introduced SBAs
Functions of SBAs
The SBA is regarded as good assessment practice, but what function does it really serve? The following are some functions of SBA:
- provides opportunities for the teacher to gather data on student performance over time.
- provides a more reliable assessment of the student by those who know the students best – their subject teachers
- serves to motivate students by engaging them in meaningful activities that are relevant to them;
- reinforces curriculum aims and good teaching practices;
- aligns assessment with curriculum and instruction;
- provides students with multiple opportunities to demonstrate their competence;
- allows students to be active participants in the assessment process;
- gives credence and recognition to the teachers’ informed judgments about students’ performance; and
- allows teachers to be critical leaders in the assessment process.
Formats of SBAs
The SBAs may be presented in a number of formats including the following:
- Portfolio
- Journals
- Dramatic presentations
- Research assignments
- Multimedia presentations
- Community projects
- Laboratory activities including investigations
- Site visit/Field trip
- Orals
- Case Studies
- Sporting activities and event planning
- Designing/Composing (TVET subjects)
For more information on SBA visit http://devcxcedu.wpengine.com/school-based-assessment-sba/