PSLE T-Score, DSA & Sec 1 Posting Process

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1 PSLE T-Score, DSA & Sec 1 Posting Process (11 January 2017) Northland Primary School Firm Foundations, Future Learnings

2 Outline of Session I) PSLE & T-Score II) Secondary Education Landscape including DSA III) Secondary 1 Posting Exercise Northland Primary School Firm Foundations, Future Learnings

3 Northland Primary School A Certification Exam Purpose of PSLE Certifies the standards of achievement by grades e.g. A*, A, U A Placement Exam Places students into different courses in secondary schools according to their academic achievement (at that point of time). A Posting Exam Enables posting to secondary schools by merit & preference, thus fairly. PSLE needs to reflect relative achievement level of students among their peers. Firm Foundations, Future Learnings

5 What is PSLE Aggregate Score? It is a sum of scores What are these scores? Are they raw scores?

6 Can raw scores be used? NO!

7 Why Not? Different subjects have different levels of difficulty So are the spread of marks from the average mark, i.e. the standard deviation (spread of marks)

8 MEASURE OF S P R E A D Narrow Wide

9 H U R R A Y! DOLLY I scored 85% in both English and Mother Tongue!

10 Dolly scores 85% in both EL and MT Her performance in MT is very close to that of other pupils 85% She did much better in EL as compared to other pupils EL MT 0 EL ave MT ave 100 = 60 = 80

11 A need for standardisation of the raw scores Transformed Score or T-Score

12 EL T-Score MT 85% 85% ave = 60 ave = T-Score converts average mark of each subject to a common score of 50 points. It also converts other marks taking into consideration the extent to which they differ from the average and the size of spread of the marks around the average

13 What is T-Score? It gives the relative position of a pupil s performance compared to the performance of all the other pupils in that subject The raw mark obtained in the exam only shows how good the pupil is in that subject (not how good he is as compared to others)

14 How is T-Score calculated for each subject? (X - Y) T = Z where X: pupil s mark for the subject Y: average mark (mean) scored by all pupils Z: spread of marks around the average mark (standard deviation)

15 Example: Pupil s mark (X) in exam = 50.0 Average mark (Y) scored by all pupils = 68.0 Spread of marks (Z) around the average mark = 14.0 T = ( ) 14.0 = 37.14

16 How is the Aggregate Score calculated? By adding the T-Scores of the 4 subjects

17 Example: Subject Total Mark T-Score EL CL Maths Science Aggregate Score: 185

18 Finally, all pupils are ranked according to their Aggregate Scores

19 PSLE Aggregate Score - Sum of the T-Scores of a student in all 4 subjects, - T stands for Transformed. - T-Score of each subject for a student is obtained by a mathematical formula to normalise (or standardise) the raw score of that subject of the student. - The sole purpose is to convert each of the raw scores of the 4 subjects to a common currency before adding them up to obtain the aggregate T- Score.

20 FAQ: T-SCORES & GRADES Is it possible for a pupil with 3A* and 1A to be ranked lower than another pupil who has only 1A* and 3As? Yes, it is possible

21 FAQ: Does EL have double weighting? No, each of the 4 subjects (EL, MT, Math & Science) carries the same weighting after being transformed to T-Score

22 Secondary One Posting

23 What are the Education Options available after Primary School? 1 Mainstream Secondary Schools 2 Specialised Schools 3 IP (Integrated Programme) Schools 4 Specialised Independent Schools

24 1 Mainstream Secondary Schools Offers Express, Normal (Academic), Normal (Technical) streams a) Express Course b) Normal Course Normal (Academic) Normal (Technical)

25 2 Specialised Schools a) Focus on hands-on learning and practical knowledge b) Training to prepare students for ITE education subsequently c) Training for ITE Skills Certification (ISC) Students at Assumption Pathway School learning to serve macaroons at the training restaurant

26 Specialised Schools for Normal(Technical) Students (SSNT) Crest Secondary School and Spectra Secondary School Students will benefit from skills-based, practiceoriented learning Non-merit based Not on first-come-first enrolled basis

27 3 Integrated Programmes Schools a) An integrated Secondary and JC education b) Secondary school students can proceed to sit for their A-Level or equivalent diploma without taking the GCE O-Level examination c) Students can enrol for IP at Sec 1 or Sec 3 d) Allow students who are academically strong to benefit from engaging in broader learning experiences

28 4Specialised Independent Schools For students with certain aptitudes in Math, Science, Technology, Sports or Arts: a) Singapore Sports School b) NUS High School of Maths & Science c) School for the Arts (SOTA) d) School of Science & Technology (SST) May offer either the GCE O- or A-level, or Specialised Diplomas (eg IB)

When Choosing a school consider Personal

niche areas which will bring out the best

29 When Choosing a school consider Personal Considerations 1.What are the strengths, interest and learning style of the student/child? School Factors 1.Does the school offer programmes, CCAs and niche areas which will bring out the best in the student? 2.How does the student commute to school? Academic Considerations How does the student s PSLE results compare to the previous year s Sec 1 posting aggregates of the school?

30 Admission Into Secondary 1 2 ways of seeking admission into Sec 1: a) Sec 1 Posting Exercise (refer to Secondary 1 Information Booklet and Secondary Education Booklet) b) Direct School Admission (DSA) Sec Exercise

31 Direct School Admission (DSA) Introduced in 2005, the DSA scheme is MOE s commitment to holistic education. DSA schools have the autonomy to admit students using criteria other than PSLE results, but keeping to principles of transparency and meritocracy. This allows for a more diverse range of student achievements and talents to be recognized. Obtain more info on DSA admission by checking the schools websites. Application deadline for each DSA school may differ. For more information:

32 Direct School Admission (DSA) The DSA-Sec Exercise is NOT a centralised posting exercise. Students successfully allocated to their DSA-Sec schools will : - NOT be allowed to participate in the annual S1 Posting Exercise to opt for secondary schools. - NOT be allowed to transfer to another school after the release of the PSLE results. - Successful DSA students are expected to honour their commitments to their posted DSA schools for the duration of the programme admitted to. - Similarly, successful Singapore Sports School (SSP) DSA students are not allowed to transfer to another school, other than their posted secondary school offered to them under the S1 Posting Exercise

33 Tentative Timeline for 2017 DSA-Sec Exercise By Secondary Schools 1 July -31 August Stage 1 Selection Stage Selection Stage + issuance of letters to all applicants (Confirmed Offer, Waiting List or Rejected)

34 Tentative Timeline for 2017 DSA-Sec Exercise By Primary Schools 26 October Receive School Preference Forms October (3pm) Stage 2 Exercise School Preference for those who have received 1 or more offers via DSA-Sec internet System (DSA-Sec IS)

35 Tentative Timeline for 2017 DSA-Sec Exercise By MOE Late November Stage 3 DSA results release Late December Reporting at Sec School

36 Secondary 1 Posting Exercise Conducted for all candidates immediately after the PSLE results are released (late Nov) a) Students who have confirmed DSA offers need not participate in this exercise. ( But if they are offered 3 rd language they have to log in to exercise their choice.) b) Students will be given the S1 Option Form to indicate up to 6 secondary school choices c) Students to indicate their choices either by submitting a physical copy of the S1 Option Form through their Primary School or online through the Secondary One Internet System

37 Secondary 1 Posting Exercise Time-line Oct Late Nov Remarks Distribution of Sec 1 Posting Booklets and Secondary School Education Booklet Release of PSLE results Late Nov Submission of Sec 1 Option Form Late Dec Release of School Posting Results

38 Posting Process When the PSLE results are released, all students will be ranked according to their Aggregate Scores: Example: 1st 2 nd 3 rd 4th 5th 6th Pupil P (285) Sch A Sch B Sch C Sch D Sch E Sch F Pupil Q (270) Sch A Sch B Sch C Sch X Sch Y Sch Z Pupil R (263) Sch B Sch D Sch W Sch X Sch Z Sch Y P will be considered first, then Q, then R, not their choices For P, MOE will try to admit him/her to 1st choice school, if not possible, then 2nd choice, if not then 3rd choice and so on. Then MOE will look at Q. until schools have filled up their vacancies

39 By Merit : 285 Rank all PSLE pupils by their PSLE Aggregate Scores and below

40 By Choice 285 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th FULL FULL

Un-posted Students If a student cannot get into any of the schools of his 6 choices Posted to a school within the same Postal District that still has

41 Un-posted Students If a student cannot get into any of the schools of his 6 choices Posted to a school within the same Postal District that still has vacancy Posted to a school anywhere in Singapore that still has a vacancy Posted to a school in a neighbouring Postal District that still has a vacancy

42 Key Messages 1. Singapore s education system is broad-based to ensure holistic development but yet flexible and diverse to meet the needs of everyone. 2. Find the best fit education pathway to suit the student s needs, abilities and learning styles. 3. There are multiple pathways to success.

43 Thank you for your presence Northland Primary School Firm Foundations, Future Learnings We look forward to partnering you Firm Foundations, Future Learnings

Briefing for Parents on SBB, DSA & PSLE

Briefing for Parents on SBB, DSA & PSLE 18 May 2017 6.30pm to 8.00pm Vision: Hearts of Service * Minds of Inquiry * Joy in Learning * Confidence in Life Mission: Together we bring out the best in every