Monitoring Student Progress in Reading
In 2006, Parliament adopted a decree to organize and coordinate the previous system of external noncertifying assessments into a three year cycle. In the first year, the assessments concern reading mastery and writing for students in Grades 2 and 5. Mathematics is assessed in the second year, followed by science in the third year. The team that oversees these assessments includes the president of the Monitoring Commission, teachers from various educational bodies, inspectors, and university researchers. The assessment results are used to evaluate student achievement, prepare pedagogical recommendations and activities for teachers, develop in‑service professional development training, and help pedagogical counselors.
Since 2008, a Basic Studies Certificate has been awarded at the end of primary education based on an external certifying assessment, which is compulsory in every school type.9 This examination assesses the mastery of the competencies that is expected at the end of primary education in French language, mathematics, science, history, and geography. Alternatively, students can obtain a Basic Studies Certificate through the Board of Examiners at their school.
Various methods of assessment are used in primary education. To enable students to develop at their own pace, teachers should focus on formative assessment and differentiated education to account for students’ different abilities. The results of teacher-prepared examinations can supplement classroom observations and notations from formative assessments.
To assist teachers, the Commission of the Assessment Instruments Related to Core Skills (Commission des Outils d’Évaluation Relatifs aux Socles de Compétences) provides examples of assessments to all of the schools organized and subsidized by the Wallonia‑Brussels Federation. These instruments, available on the education page of the Wallonia‑Brussels Federation website, have been developed to align with the core skills.10 Prior to their distribution, the assessments are tested in classrooms.
The Wallonia-Brussels Federation also provides grants for research projects in the area of reading. Recently funded research projects have focused on designing tools to diagnose reading difficulties and developing remediation strategies.11
Students and their parents are regularly informed about students’ results, progress in classes, learning behavior, and personal development through written school reports.