NCERT’s New Report Card to Track Post-School Plans and Life Skills

About PARAKH

National Assessment Centre-PARAKH:

• Establishment: Set up in 2023 under the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
• Objective: To set norms, standards, and guidelines for student assessment and implement activities as mandated by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Focus Areas:
• Capacity Development in Competency-Based Assessment:
• Project Vidyasagar: In partnership with the PhD Chamber of Commerce, PARAKH organizes workshops across India to familiarize educators with new pedagogical and policy changes under the National Curriculum Framework 2023.
• Goal: To bridge gaps in implementing competency-based learning and teaching.
• Large-Scale Achievement Survey:
• Survey: Conducted the State Educational Achievement Survey in November 2023.
• Scope: Assessed students in Grades 3, 6, and 9 across 30 States/UTs on foundational literacy, numeracy, language, and mathematics.
• Equivalence of School Boards:
• Objective: Standardize examination reforms across all Indian school boards.
• Process: Regional workshops were held to gather data on administration, curriculum, assessments, and infrastructure.

Holistic Progress Cards (HPC)

About Holistic Progress Cards:

• Purpose: To shift from traditional marks and grades to a 360-degree evaluation of a student's academic performance.
• Approach: Regular assessment through class activities that engage students actively rather than passively.
• Features:
• Assessment Metrics: Evaluation includes students' ability to collaborate, follow instructions, show creativity, and empathy.
• Identifying Weaknesses: Teachers can identify areas where students need help, such as attention issues or lack of preparation.
• Self and Peer Evaluation: Students evaluate their own and classmates’ performance using simple responses like ‘Yes’, ‘No’, or ‘Do not know’.
• Parental Input: Incorporates feedback from parents on their child’s homework abilities, classroom engagement, and extracurricular balance, making them a part of the learning process.

Implementation:

• Timeline: The HPC will not be used in the ongoing 2024-25 academic session. However, training for teachers and officials will begin.
• State Flexibility: States can choose to implement the HPC as released or adapt it to their specific needs.
• Board Exams: HPC results are expected to be considered in board exams for Classes 10 and 12.
• Pilot States: States like Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh are preparing to implement HPCs for Classes up to 8 from the 2024-25 academic session onwards.

Way Forward for Holistic Progress Card Implementation

• Training and Capacity Building:
• Educator Training: Extensive training for teachers and school officials to understand and effectively implement the HPC framework.
• Customization and Adaptation:
• State-Specific Adaptation: States should consider their local contexts and educational needs while implementing or adapting the HPC.
• Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Feedback Mechanism: Establish a robust mechanism to collect feedback from schools, teachers, students, and parents to refine and improve the HPC.
• Integration with Existing Systems:
• Seamless Transition: Ensure that the HPC integrates smoothly with existing assessment and educational systems to avoid disruptions.
• Awareness and Engagement:
• Stakeholder Engagement: Engage all stakeholders, including students, parents, and educators, in understanding and supporting the new assessment system.
• Data Analysis and Utilization:
• Utilize Insights: Use data collected through HPC to gain insights into student development and areas needing intervention, informing policy decisions and educational practices.

The introduction of the Holistic Progress Card represents a significant shift towards a more comprehensive and engaging assessment approach, aiming to better capture and support students’ overall development beyond traditional academic measures.