SWOT analysis on policies on formative assessment in CE in Czech Republic

Prepared by: ZŠ Dětská Ostrava, Gymnázium Hladnov Ostrava, Mendelovo gymnasium Opava, KVIC Nový Jičín

Designed by: Socialiniu projektu institutas, Lithuania

The context of the Czech Republic / Moravian-Silesian region / Ostrava / ALICE teacher’s schools

The SWOT analysis was performed by teachers of primary and secondary schools from Moravian-Silesian region, namely city of Ostrava and Opava together with researchers from the KVIC (Regional institute for further education of pedagogical staff) Nový Jičín. All the involved teachers participated in both ALiCE workshops.

SWOT analysis regarding policies on formative assessment in citizenship education in Czech Republic / Moravian-Silesian region / Ostrava / ALiCE teacher’s schools.

Strengths

  • Formative assessment has become a well-known term in the last 4 years in the Czech Republic, it started as a subject at Faculties of Education, there are courses in Teacher Professional Development available recently. Before then the term was known only by few teachers. The role of researchers (universities) and organizations responsible for Teacher Professional Development is crucial.
  • ALiCE project allows to meet specific examples of formative assessment in active citizenship education - set of practical examples ready to use by teachers in a class
  • Good practice examples from European countries.
  • Strong link to the current changes in the national education framework (CZ, prepared for 2024).
  • Active involvement of learners into education process and evaluation
  • Better understanding of formative evaluation at schools
  • Methodology and theoretical background for teachers available at ALICE platform: a useful tool for those teachers who aren´t very experienced in the formative assessment

Weaknesses

  • Time needed for preparation and implementation and active involvement of all parties.
  • When there is no school support (school coordinator), the impact is limited and demotivating for teachers.

Opportunities

  • Link to the national policy and newly updated national educational framework, a chance to be integrated in a school educational framework (CZ, 2024).
  • Formative assessment provides an opportunity to concentrate on inter-subjects’ cooperation and presentation of this core to learners.
  • Activation of learners and their active participation on education.
  • A great opportunity for special needs learners; given the current assessment methods there, a lot of preparation has been done already.
  • An opportunity for cooperation with other subjects, NGOs, experts
  • Suitability and potential of transferability of ALICE concept – an expension of the formative assessment by other topics in civic educaition
  • Current focus of the policy makers on “informal”education – link to the labour market where the skills and experience acquired through “informal” education is highly valued due to quick technological progress
  • Maximum use of digital technologies throughout teaching and evaluating

Threats

  • Active involvement and support of all: teachers, school management, learners, parents. Threat of non-being accepted by one single member and the whole system is broke.
  • Time and effort needed
  • Continuity is needed, not being dependent on one project.
  • Lack of critical thinking
Posted in Czech Republic, SWOT