Nature----- Original Message ----- From: Sharon Tzur - sharontzu5@xxxxxxx
Subject: the new math module modal Dear Etniers:Math has come up with a new module system, which makes a lot of sense. Perhaps English can adopt a similar modal.
First, they are going back to 2 papers at each level rather than three.There is no longer any overlap between the 3 point paper and the 4 point - which probably means that the 3 point paper will be a bit easier. (The third module of the 3 point has been a killer for weak students).
And listen to this - a student who passes the 1st paper of the 4 point but fails the second (or perhaps the combined score of the two papers is not a pass - I'm not sure..), automatically will be given credit for having passed the 3 point exam. Likewise, a student who passes the first of the two papers for a 5 point exam, but who fails the second (or perhaps the combined score of the two papers is not a pass), is considered as having passed the 4 point exam.
If we adopted the idea in English, a student who passed C and D (but whose overall grade in 4 points is not a pass) would automatically be considered as having passed 3 point English. A student who passed E and F (and whose overall grade for 5 points is not a pass) would automatically be considered to have passed 4 point English!!!
I am not even suggesting at this point that we return to 2 papers - because I'd hate to see us have to throw out all our books - but the suggestion I'm making can be adopted without changing anything in the structure of the exams. The big advantage is that it is very difficult to get our weaker students to take the lower level exam before going on to the higher level. They simply resist and say, "I'm not going to take 3 points - no way." (Or - - they refuse to take 4 points prior to going on to 5 points). It is also a big headache to take a small number of students to a lower level as insurance before they go on to the higher level. It means finding a time to test them (if they agree...).And there is a lot of logic to the suggestion. A student who passed C and D would obviously have passed A B and C - and a student who passed E and F would obviously have passed C D and E. Of course, they probably would have gotten a higher grade if they had taken the lower level directly, but at least they can strive to take a higher level and still end up with a Bagrut certificate.
It makes a lot of sense. Yours, Sharon Tzur -----------------------------------------------** Etni homepage - http://www.etni.org or - http://www.etni.org.il **
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