Achievement Levels
The PSLE Achievement Levels (AL) system, introduced in 2021 by the Ministry of Education (MOE), is designed to appreciate and measure a student's individual performance and subject mastery rather than ranking them against their peers. This shift aims to reduce unhealthy competition and stress, fostering a more holistic approach to education.
Understanding the Achievement Levels
Students receive an AL score from 1 to 8 for each of their four PSLE subjects (English, Mathematics, Science, and Mother Tongue Language), with AL 1 being the highest level of achievement.
The total PSLE score is the sum of the ALs for all four subjects, with the best possible total score being 4 (four AL 1s) and the lowest being 32.
Appreciating Achievement
The MOE designed this system to recognize a wide range of achievements and guide students to suitable secondary school pathways.
Focus on Individual Progress: The system encourages a focus on the student's personal learning journey and improvement, rather than fine-tuned comparison with classmates.
Less Fine Differentiation: The use of broader scoring bands means that small mark differences do not lead to different ALs, reducing the stress associated with chasing a single point.
Holistic Development: The new system aligns with the educational goal of nurturing well-rounded individuals who can explore their interests in arts, sports, and other co-curricular activities (CCAs).
Informed School Choices: With fewer possible total scores (29 possibilities from 4 to 32), more students will share the same score, offering a wider range of schools to choose from based on factors beyond just academic performance, such as school culture, niche programs, and CCAs.
Parental Role in Appreciation
Parents can support their child's learning and appreciate their results by:
Fostering a growth mindset: Encourage the child to view mistakes as learning opportunities and emphasize effort and resilience over perfection.
Setting realistic goals: Help set achievable targets based on the child's strengths and weaknesses, focusing on steady progress.
Celebrating small wins: Acknowledge improvements in understanding concepts or developing better study habits, not just final scores.
Maintaining open communication: Discuss concerns and achievements in a supportive manner with the child and their teachers.
Ultimately, the goal is to ensure students understand that their self-worth extends beyond a test score and that the PSLE is just one milestone in their lifelong learning journey. For more details, parents can consult the official MOE website on the PSLE scoring system.
https://www.moe.gov.sg/microsites/psle-fsbb/psle/main.html
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