ASSESSMENT POLICY: EXAMINATIONS AND SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENTS
1 PURPOSE OF THE POLICY
The purpose of this policy is to
1.1 promote the integrity and credibility of all internal examinations, as well as School Based
Assessments (hereinafter referred to as SBAs), conducted at the school;
1.2 ensure that a consistent approach is implemented in the handling of any irregularities.
2 LEGAL FRAMEWORK
This policy is governed by the South African Schools Act No. 84 of 1996, in conjunction with the Department of Education Amendment to Policy Regulations pertaining to the National Senior Certificate, and all other relevant Policy Documents and Minutes.
3 RATIONALE FOR THE POLICY
Importance of Ethical Examination Conduct
3.1 In the learning process, it is essential that knowledge and skills are assessed on a regular basis, and that feedback is given timeously to enhance the learning experience.
3.2 The writing of examinations is an integral aspect of assessment. Together with SBAs, they determine the progression of students to the next grade. Regular revision and thorough preparation by students are essential for optimal performance in examinations.
4 EXAMINATION POLICY
4.1 A doctor’s certificate is required for days absent whether it is an exam or a study day.
4.2 Parents are to contact the school before 08:30 if the pupil is absent.
4.3 Exam Rules
4.3.1 The school uniform rules apply during the exam period.
4.3.2 No blankets, beanies, etc., will be allowed to be used/worn in the exam rooms.
4.3.3 Pupils are to have all the necessary equipment needed for a particular exam. No borrowing will be allowed.
4.3.4 Only blue or black ink is allowed. All drawings are to be done in pencil.
4.3.5 No Tippex may be used.
4.4 Exam Transgressions
4.4.1 Pupils may not have any notes or material that could be of assistance to them on their person during an exam session. These should be placed in their bags, which are placed in the front of the exam room. Students found in possession of any material relating to an exam being written at the time will be penalised by getting a zero mark for the paper.
4.4.2 If a desk where a student is seated during an exam is found to have material written on it which pertains to any subject written during that exam period, it will be assumed that it was written by the person assigned to that seat, and it will be deemed to be evidence of copying or attempting to copy. The sanction will be as in 4.1 above.
It must be noted that this will apply even if the material is not spotted by an invigilator on the day that the subject to which the material relates is written. In other words, even if the material is spotted on any subsequent day by a different invigilator, it will still be an exam transgression.
In the event that a student is placed at a seat in an exam room where there is already writing on the desk, it is incumbent on that student to draw the invigilator’s attention to it immediately.
4.4.3 Any student found in possession of a cell phone or other electronic device, including smart watches, will get a zero mark for the paper. It is not the obligation of the school to prove whether or not there is exam related material on the device.
4.4.4 Any student caught copying or attempting to copy or to obtain help from another student will get a zero mark for the paper.
4.4.5 Any student who obtains a copy of an exam paper before it is written will receive a zero mark for the paper.
4.4.6 Any student who leaves an exam room with a script which has been written on that day, and who attempts to submit it at a later stage, will receive a zero mark for that paper.
4.4.7 Any student who communicates with another student in any way, or attempts to communicate with another student in any way, while he or she is writing an exam, could be deemed to be attempting to copy, and may get a zero mark for the paper.
4.4.8 If a student is discovered to have given any material, whether it be in the form of a text book, note book or in any other form, to a student who is not writing at the time and who is seated in the immediate vicinity of that student, and that student is found to have it in his or her possession during the writing of that exam, it will be deemed as intention to cheat, whether there has been communication or not. The student writing will be given a zero mark for the paper. The other student will be dealt with as in 4.4.9 below.
4.4.9 If a student who is not writing an exam at the time assists or attempts to assist another student to copy, he or she will be given two Friday afternoon detentions, and could face further disciplinary action by the SGB.
4.4.10 In all of the above cases where students are given zero marks, they will not be allowed to rewrite the paper, and they could face possible disciplinary action by the SGB.
4.4.10 Any alleged exam irregularity as mentioned above will be reported by the invigilator, who will in turn refer the matter to the School Irregularities Committee, who will make a ruling on the matter.
4.4.11 Any student who is found guilty of an examination transgression on a second occasion, regardless of the time elapsed between the two, will appear at a disciplinary hearing of the School Governing Body.
4.4.12 If a student arrives late for an examination, he or she will not be given extra time, unless a valid reason is provided.
5 SBA POLICY
5.1 A student who does not submit a task for a School-Based Assessment and/or a Practical Assessment Task in any subject, or present himself or herself for an oral assessment as required, without a valid reason, will receive an incomplete result. The student may also be given a detention. The candidate will be given until the end of the term during which the outstanding task was due to submit outstanding work or present himself or herself for the School-Based Assessment and/or Practical Assessment Task, on a date and time specified by the school. Should the candidate fail to fulfil the outstanding School-Based Assessment and/or Practical Assessment Task requirements, such a candidate will be given a zero mark for that particular task.
5.2 In the event of a learner not complying with the requirements of a School-Based Assessment and/or Practical Assessment Task in any subject, but where a valid reason is provided:
5.2.1 he or she may be granted another opportunity to be assessed in the assigned tasks, based on a decision by the Head of the assessment body;
5.2.2 the learner must submit outstanding work or present himself or herself for the School-Based Assessment and/or Practical Assessment Task no later than the end of the term during which the outstanding task was due, on a date and time specified by the school. Should the learner fail to fulfil the outstanding School-Based Assessment and/or Practical Assessment Task Assessment requirements, he or she will receive an incomplete result (a zero mark for the task).5.3 “Valid reason” in this context includes the following:
5.3.1 illness, supported by a valid medical certificate, issued by a registered medical practitioner;
5.3.2 humanitarian reasons, which includes the death of an immediate family member, supported by a death certificate;
5.3.3 the learner appearing in a court hearing, which must be supported by written evidence;
or
5.3.4 any other reason as may be accepted as valid by the Head of the assessment body or his or her representative.
5.4 In the event of a learner failing to comply with the School-Based Assessment and/or Practical Assessment Task requirements of a particular subject, and where valid reasons are provided, the evidence of such valid reasons must be included with the evidence of learner performance.
6 ABSENTEES
6.1 In the case of illness or any other circumstances beyond the control of the learner, medical certificates, affidavits or acceptable proof are to be provided by the candidate and countersigned by the Principal of the school of attendance before submission to the provincial education department. Where the authenticity of a candidate’s claim is in doubt, the Principal of the school of attendance is to advise the Head of Department in writing, and then investigate the matter further.
6.2 A learner who is unable to write the end-of-year final examination owing to illness or any other circumstances beyond the control of the learner, will be exempted from the examination. A mark based on the School-Based Assessment and Practical Assessment mark obtained by the learner prior to his or her illness will be calculated and awarded to the learner affected.
6.3 Learners who absent themselves from the end-of-year final examinations for no valid reason will not be permitted to progress to the next grade.