The Cambridge International Continuum

Transcription

1 The Cambridge International Continuum Di Palmer Sherry Reach Director Assessment Services USA Regional Representative University of Cambridge International Examinations

2 Today s presentation CIE s partnership approach to raising standards for all students Curriculum Assessment Support and training for teachers Examples from Cambridge IGCSE programs for Grades 9 and 10 Same principles apply to AICE program for Grades 11 and 12 Checkpoint program for Grades 6,7,8

3 THE CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL CURRICULUM Age 18 A Level Exams Age 16 Age 14 Age 11 Age 5 IGCSE Exams Cambridge Advanced 40+ subjects Cambridge Secondary 2: IGCSE 70+ subjects Checkpoint assessment Progression Tests Achievement Test Cambridge Secondary 1: Checkpoint English/Mathematics/Science Cambridge Primary English/Mathematics/Science Increasing breadth and choice

4 Designed for a wide range of abilities Core level: all students Extended level: more able students and/or subsequent stage for less-prepared students Coursework option: adapt for local context

5 Excellent foundation Schools use Cambridge IGCSE to prepare students for: Cambridge A/AS Level IB Diploma AP

6 Cambridge IGCSE, AICE Florida schools offering Cambridge successfully since 1995 Three Arizona schools have applied to be Cambridge schools Cambridge English and Math standards exceed Common Core Standards mapping available upon request

7 Cambridge IGCSE, AICE Benchmarked for international comparability Customized for local/state relevance Locally relevant content/contexts Choice of authors/historical topics etc. Spelling and vocabulary Changes to content to reflect national standards and state core curriculum Changes to reporting of achievement and definitions of standards Changes to assessment structure and combination rules required for certification

8 instructional systems are at the heart The subject syllabus is where it begins

9 The subject syllabus Aims Assessment Objectives Description of assessment components Curriculum content Including detailed summary of what candidates should know, understand and be able to do Grade descriptions Resource list including texts and much more

10 Breadth of assessment Knowledge Understanding Application Skills Assessment Methodology: Essays & Short Answers Projects / Investigations Lab Practicals / Orals Multiple Choice

11 Assessment Objectives for Biology Knowledge with understanding (50% - not more than 25% recall) Handling information and problem solving (30%) Experimental skills and investigation (20%)

12 Question papers include Questions that Require knowledge Gradually remove scaffolding Require the application of knowledge in unfamiliar contexts Encourage connections to be made between topic areas or concepts

13 Recalling knowledge Applying knowledge in a novel context Abstracting appropriate knowledge

14 Examination Certificate Each subject is individually graded Pass grades range from A* to G IGCSE is internationally recognized Each student receives a certificate showing a grade for each subject examination

15 Analysis of Candidate Results by Grade Cumulative results and a comparison of your school s performance with your region and the world

16 Grading System Comparison USA Cambridge A A*, A Excellent B+ B B C Good C+ D C E Satisfactory D F Poor G F U Not passing

17 Age 18 Age 16 Age 14 Age 11 Age 5 THE CAMBRIDGE INTERNATIONAL CURRICULUM Cambridge Advanced: A Levels / AICE Diploma 40+ subjects Cambridge Secondary 2 : IGCSE 70+ subjects CAMBRIDGE CHECKPOINT Cambridge Secondary 1 English/Mathematics/Science PRIMARY ACHIEVEMENT TEST Cambridge Primary English/Mathematics/Science Increasing breadth and choice

18 Lower Secondary Program / Checkpoint Desired learning outcomes for middle school English, (reading, writing, usage) Math (number, problem solving, shape, space & problem solving Science (biology, chemistry and physics) Progression tests end of grades 6 & 7 Checkpoint Test end of grade 8

19 Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE) Diploma an advanced academic pre-university qualification for students who are studying Cambridge International A and AS Levels offers students the opportunity to tailor their studies to individual interests, abilities and future plans Combines breadth of study with choice and flexibility involves the selection of subjects from three curriculum areas: Mathematics and Science Languages Arts and Humanities

20 Support for teachers and students Results and analysis Syllabuses Past exam papers, rubrics Examiners reports Schemes of work Available online Examples of performance at different grades Textbooks, workbooks Training and professional development

21 CIE public website

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23 Teacher training: workshops & online courses Stage 1 for teachers new to CIE syllabuses Focus on the syllabus Examples of standards & marking students exams Advice on resources Stage 2 Assumes knowledge of CIE syllabuses Focus on teaching and learning Discussion of classroom strategies Stage 3 Research/review of own practice

24 Exam Fees / Program Costs Checkpoint $23 per subject IGCSE exams $ 67 per subject AS / A level (stage route) $ per subject 4 year cost per student per year c. $250

25 IGCSE Literature (English): Assessment Objectives Show detailed knowledge of the content of literary texts in the three main forms (Drama, Poetry, Prose) 25% Understand the meanings of literary texts and their contexts, and explore texts beyond surface meanings to show deeper awareness of ideas and attitudes 25% Recognize and appreciate ways in which writers use language, structure and form to create and shape meanings and effects (= application) 25% Communicate a sensitive and informed personal response to literary texts 25%

26 Example Literature Question In this story, Conrad has left his car near the red zone a noparking area of the city in which he works. He comes back to find that some people are enjoying watching it being towed away. Read the passage below carefully and then explore how the writing makes you feel sympathy for Conrad and how it is amusing at the same time. You should include in your answer a response to: Conrad s situation the characters and the words they use the way the incident is narrated.

27 Grade description (Literature in English) a Grade A candidate will have demonstrated the ability to: sustain a perceptive and convincing response with well-chosen detail of narrative and situation demonstrate clear critical/analytical understanding of the author s intentions and the text s deeper implications and the attitudes it displays make much well-selected reference to the text respond sensitively and in detail to the way language works in the text communicate a considered and reflective personal response to the text

28 A* student Conrad s situation is not a strange one; it is one most readers may not have experienced but would be familiar with. Wolfe s narration enables us to feel sympathy for many reasons. The first, and simplest, is that he appears to have been wronged: he remembered parking his car outside the red zone. In addition to this, the giant tow truck operator and the meter maid do not listen to what he says and virtually ignore him. In the end Conrad loses, only to be mocked by a crowd of bystanders. Wooooeeeee (Paragraph 23) they call at him, when the meter maid rebuffs his appeals. Conrad is not merely helpless; he is turned into a public and humiliating joke. It is impossible not to feel sympathy for him in this situation.

29 C student Although this story makes you feel sympathy for Conrad, it is at the same time amusing due to the fact that the lady and the giant man paid less attention to him and this made him look somehow stupid as it was like he was talking himself. Another amusing thing about this story is the way Conrad negotiates for his car. He speaks on top of his voice and this makes passers-by think there is a fight which is about to erupt.

30 Thank you Questions?

31 Additional information available via: CIE website: Di Palmer: Sherry Reach: