Monitoring Student Progress in Reading
The progress of students at the primary level is evaluated according to their level of achievement in comparison to the standards set by the curriculum goals and objectives. Progress in reading is periodically assessed by schools’ or individual teachers’ tests and classroom observations. Students must receive approval following the internal assessments in all major subject areas to progress to the following grade. During the 2015–2016 school year, the high stakes examinations previously in place for students in Grade 4 were replaced by low stakes diagnostic tests at Grades 2 and 5. A national examination for the Portuguese language still is in place for students in Grades 9 and 12. Students who complete Grade 9 are awarded a basic education diploma, while students who complete Grade 12 are awarded a secondary education diploma. The secondary education diploma is required for the student to pursue higher education studies.