Perspective of Higher Education

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The analyses of the conditions for introducing the National Secondary School Leaving Exam in Croatia (State Matura) State Matura From the perspective of Higher Education

Proponents of the projectMinistry of Education and Sports - Republic of CroatiaMinistry of Science and Technology - Republic of Croatia (Project no: 0100502)Implementation of the projectInstitute of Social Research in Zagreb:Centre for Educational Research and Development Project Leaderdr. sc. Petar Bezinović : 

Proponents of the projectMinistry of Education and Sports - Republic of CroatiaMinistry of Science and Technology - Republic of Croatia (Project no: 0100502)Implementation of the projectInstitute of Social Research in Zagreb:Centre for Educational Research and Development Project Leaderdr. sc. Petar Bezinović

The project aim : 

The project aim The analyses of the conditions for implementing State Matura Development of the proposal for the national approach to the implementation of the State Matura that will meet the developmental needs of Croatian Piloting the proposal – experimental Matura (2004.)

What is State Matura? : 

What is State Matura? State Matura is an exam that tests at what level are the goals of secondary education achieved - it determines the level of achieved student competences. It is organized centrally and implemented at the same time for all candidates. State Matura is the Secondary school leaving exam. It could be used instead of the entrance exams for Higher education.

Basic premise : 

Basic premise Implementation of State Matura and other external exams which will ensure objective, valid, reliable and fair evaluation of school achievements/ student competences will provoke important developmental processes which may significantly improve the quality of education in Croatian schools.

The goals of State Matura : 

The goals of State Matura Valid, reliable, objective and fair measurement of school achievement. Defining of national standards  monitoring the achievement of programs and goals of secondary education Ensure that education and knowledge have appropriate value Improving the quality of schools - promoting the quality of teaching and learning.

The goals of State Matura – cont. : 

The goals of State Matura – cont. Improving the students’ level of motivation for learning and their desire for achievement. Ensuring valid and fair selection of candidates for enrolment into Higher education. Making Croatian High School diploma clear and comparable on the local and European labour markets as well as in European education.

Conceptual frame : 

Conceptual frame Current situation in Croatia There is no established system for evaluating the quality of education The general level of education of the citizens is low, education and knowledge are undervalued. Current situation in EU Dynamic changes, technological advancement – greater need for competent experts that are flexible to adapt to the ever changing social and technological conditions and effectively solve the most demanding problems. Open borders, wider markets, great competitiveness Improving the quality of education is the primary development goal of the European Union (Lisbon, 2000) High educational standards as a necessity and a premise for development

Conceptual frame – cont. : 

Conceptual frame – cont. Croatian priority tasks Achieve high level quality of education Ensure equality and accessibility of quality education to all Key issues concerning external assessment What kind of system of external assessment can best promote the quality of education – stimulate quality learning and teaching – and ensure unrestricted development of creative potential of the individuals?

Research objectives : 

Research objectives Establish what is the attitude of Higher education institutions on introducing State Matura in Croatian education and utilizing these results for enrolment into higher education. Research what competences should the candidates for further education have. Establish the content which should be assessed on State Matura. Establish what is the opinion of Higher education institutions on the readiness of students for further education.

The higher education institutions questionnaireThe analyses : 

The higher education institutions questionnaireThe analyses

Method : 

Method Participants 91 questionnaires received from 50 different faculties or other higher education institutions, 37 departments and 4 subdivisions were analysed. The questionnaires were completed by the heads of these units following discussion with their colleagues. 1346 teachers participated in these discussions. Methodology The higher education institutions received the questionnaire by e-mail with the introductory letter from the president of the Coordination group for educational system reform in Republic of Croatia. Following the discussion, the completed questionnaires were returned to the Institute of Social Research for analyses. Questionnaire Examines the attitudes on introducing State Matura and utilizing these results instead of entrance exams, possible content of the Matura exam, necessary competences for higher education, readiness of freshmen for their studies.

Attitudes on introducing SM at the end of secondary education regardless to the selection procedures for entrance into Higher education : 

Attitudes on introducing SM at the end of secondary education regardless to the selection procedures for entrance into Higher education M=4,27 sd=0,79

Main arguments for introducing SM : 

Main arguments for introducing SM Unique assessment criteria Valid, objective and fair measurement of knowledge that will ensure realistic insight into the quality of achieved knowledge Simplified entrance into Higher education (no entrance exams), unburden the universities Improved evaluation of schools and teachers Improvement of the quality of education Improvement of preparation for higher education/better students

Attitudes on introducing SM at the end of secondary education instead of existing entrance exams for Higher education : 

Attitudes on introducing SM at the end of secondary education instead of existing entrance exams for Higher education M=3,87 sd=1,03

Arguments FOR using SM instead of existent entrance exams : 

Arguments FOR using SM instead of existent entrance exams Greater objectivity, fairness and validity Assessment of school achievement based on standardised criteria Less stressful for students Simplified procedures, easier rating of the students who satisfy the criteria. Unburdening of the universities Transparent, no issues with the regularity of entrance exams ! Elimination of entrance exams is possible only if the SM assesses the relevant content ! Cheaper, faster

Arguments AGAINST the use of SM results instead of existent entrance exams : 

Arguments AGAINST the use of SM results instead of existent entrance exams It is impossible for a unique SM to include the specifics of each study group and assess the contents for each faculty, It can not assess specific talents and motivation Faculties should have full autonomy, must have full control of the assessed contents, must establish the criteria for the selection of their students by themselves. Possibilities for manipulation, doubt in the correct implementation of SM.

Attitudes on the utilization of SM results instead of the existing entrance exams(mean scores according to the type of institution) : 

Attitudes on the utilization of SM results instead of the existing entrance exams(mean scores according to the type of institution)

Possible content of SM : 

Possible content of SM

Content of entrance exam for 2003/04 : 

Content of entrance exam for 2003/04 CROATIAN Economics,management, tourism Law Teacher colleges Croatian language and literature Faculty of philosophy Zagreb Logaoedics Political sciences, journalism Catholic theology faculty Some foreign language History Social sciences collage Academy of dramatic arts Police academy MATHEMATICS Economics,management, tourism Mathematics and physics Teacher maths, physics, computer studies, chemistry, geology, technical Electro-technical / technical Mechanical engineering Architectures, civil engineering Geology, mining, geological Forestry, agronomics Chemical engineering Pharmacology-biochemistry Food Technology and Biotechnology Textile technology Faculty of Transport Maritime studies Faculty of Metallurgy Faculty of Graphics Teachers colleges

Content of entrance exam for 2003/04 – cont. : 

Content of entrance exam for 2003/04 – cont. FOREIGN LANGUAGE Foreign languages Teachers college Management, business, tourism Maritime studies Faculty of transport – aeronautics Academy of dramatic arts Educational-rehabilitation faculty ICT Economics Mathematics Teacher maths computer studies Information Technology

Readiness of freshmen for studying light – secondary school estimatesdark – Higher education institutions estimates : 

Readiness of freshmen for studying light – secondary school estimatesdark – Higher education institutions estimates

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High motivation for studies Individual knowledge and readiness Good general education, quality of students from some schools (gymnasiums) Readiness to acquire new knowledge Openness and good communication skills Willingness for independent and creative study Readiness of students for higher educationSources of satisfaction

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Inadequate level of knowledge in the subjects important for the field of study General lack of knowledge, lack of general knowledge Unequal readiness of students from different schools, unequal prior knowledge Lack of motivation for studies, lack of curiosity, interest, lack of motivation for high academic achievements Undeveloped work habits, not knowing how to learn, undeveloped learning strategies Not independent in studying Negative attitude towards learning, unsystematic, bad time management Illiteracy, low level of oral and written expression, low language competence Acquiring knowledge by mechanical memorizing, reproductive attitude to knowledge Insufficient application of knowledge, little practical knowledge and skills Low level of responsibility and maturity Insufficient creativity Insufficiently active, do not discuss, passive listeners Do not know how to use reading resources Readiness of students for higher educationSources of dissatisfaction

Average estimate of the developed characteristics of freshmen : 

Average estimate of the developed characteristics of freshmen

Important competencies for higher education : 

Important competencies for higher education Key knowledge in the subjects important for the field of study Motivation for studying Good communication skills in Croatian , literacy Knowledge of foreign language Creativeness in problem solving Computer literacy Good work ethics and learning skills Practical application of knowledge Curiosity Diligence, persistence Ability to use higher cognitive processes, intellectual abilities Inclination for research Good general education (for social sciences, polytechnics) Ethics (for medical, teacher) Talent for art (for artistic, teacher)

Recommendation for introduction of SM : 

Recommendation for introduction of SM Passing of the State Matura exam is a condition for further education at the Higher Education Institution in the Republic of Croatia The results of the State Matura may be used in place of entrance exam for Higher Education Institution The faculties/polytechnics that use the SM results in place of entrance exams determine the content that is relevant for them, the candidate selection

Determining the candidate rank for entrance : 

Determining the candidate rank for entrance Rank of candidates for entrance into Higher education Institutions is determined by a unique list for all the Universities at the National Exam Centre which implements the State Matura Except for the results received on SM the candidate rank is also determined in high proportion by the grade average received throughout secondary education The candidate rank is determined for all higher education institutions according to the candidate registration, according to the results received at SM and grade average for secondary education

Quality of exam materials : 

Quality of exam materials The exam materials are based on the existing curriculum, but contain only the content important for further education and are the bases of lifelong learning The test used on the SM must be such that they test the candidates ability to solve complex problems and not to reproduce the memorized facts The exam results must be standardized and unique for all school regardless of the schools course