Monitoring Student Progress in Reading
Reading comprehension is routinely tested in most schools as part of language instruction provision in the classroom. The Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority organizes annual public examinations for students who have completed the six year secondary education phase. The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) aims to help course leaders to measure the attainment of students accurately.
The HKDSE was administered for the first time in 2012 with the use of standard-referenced reporting to report candidates’ assessment results for Chinese and English language papers (reading, writing, listening, speaking, and integrated language skills). Chinese language and English language are two of the four core subjects in the HKDSE.43 Some schools also offer alternative overseas curricula to give students an option other than the regular HKDSE public examination. Whereas government subsidy schools are restricted to the local curriculum, alternative Chinese language programs such as GCE “A-level” and International Baccalaureate courses are offered in a number of Direct Subsidy Scheme schools that possess greater autonomy.44
The government also prepares three standardized tests for use in education: the Basic Competence Test, the English Language Proficiency Test, and the Chinese Language Proficiency Test. The Basic Competence Test involves the Student Assessment and the Territory System Assessment (TSA). The Student Assessment is an online program that helps teachers to better understand the learning needs and problems of students in Chinese, English, and mathematics so timely assistance can be provided to enhance learning effectiveness. At the same time, the TSA provides school officials with useful information on students’ standards at the end of each key learning stage (Primary 3 and 6 and Secondary 3) in the three subjects mentioned above. It was introduced to Primary 3 students in 2004; to Primary 6 students in 2005; and to Secondary 3 students in 2006. The citywide test has adopted a modification of the PIRLS framework as its own Chinese reading comprehension assessment framework. The government requests that schools arrange for all students to participate, especially non-Chinese speaking students in TSA Chinese language assessments, with a view to assisting the authority with collecting data for relevant research, policy review, and the provision of relevant support. Such assessment provides feedback to schools on learning and teaching, curriculum enrichment, and the quality of teaching.45
In 2015, numerous educators and parents complained about the pressure imposed by schools on children by heavy over-drilling for the TSA. A committee tasked by the government to review the Primary 3 TSA was set up in consequence. Per the recommendation of the committee, the Primary 3 test was suspended in 2016, and a tryout of a revised TSA with simplified tasks (the 2016 Tryout Study) was conducted in 50 primary schools. The Education Bureau has announced plans to put all primary school students through a new assessment program called The Basic Competency Assessment Research Study starting in 2017.46,47,48,49,50,51