[portada y 1ª página interior] What 12-year-old students learn Assessment of primary education Basic Data 1995 Introduction 4 What 12-year-old students learn 7 Spanish language and literature 9 Written comprehension: LITERARY TEXTS 12 INFORMATION TEXTS 14 VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL TEXTS 16 Written expression: 18 USING SYLLABLES 19 USING WORDS 20 USING SENTENCES 22 USING TEXTS 24 Mathematics 27 Numbers and operations 30 Measurement 32 Geometry 34 Social Sciences 37 The countryside 40 Population and human activities 42 Social organisation 44 Communication, information and transport 46 Historical changes and scenes 48 Natural Sciences 51 Human beings and health 54 The physical environment 56 Living beings 58 Materials and their properties 60 Methodology 62 Introduction One of the tasks assigned to the National Institute for Quality and Evaluation is that of carrying out general assessment of the education system, developing assessment systems and producing information to help improve the quality of education. The responsibility for this task, channelled through the Institute, is shared by the Ministry of Education and Culture and the education departments of those Autonomous Regions with full responsibility for education. The Institute's action plan for the period 1994-1997 includes a number of studies, including the "Assessment of Primary Education". The basic objectives of this study are as follows: 1.

To evaluate the effects of the introduction of the new Primary Education, both as regards the functioning of schools and as regards the educational processes carried out and their results.
2.
To ascertain and assess the educational results achieved by the end of the primary stage and the way in which these relate to educational processes and to the different contextual factors which influence such achievement.
The main objective pursued in gathering data on the academic results of students taking the Sixth Year of Basic General Education in 1995 (students aged 12) is to ascertain the level of academic achievement attained by these students with a view to laying down a baseline for use in analyzing educational progress in the school system over time as a means to evaluate the effectiveness of the reforms introduced in the system. In a few years' time, similar tests should logically be run on students having completed the new Primary Education in full, in order to assess the changes which have taken place in academic achievement as a result of this new stage in the functioning of the school system. Again, the same kind of data as in this first survey should be gathered by means of questionnaires to be completed by teachers, school management staff and students' families, in order to analyze the changes that have taken place in teaching methods, functioning of schools and attitudes, and expectations of the participants in the educational process following the general introduction of the new Primary Education. The final report on the survey, due to be published in early 1997, will include, in a suitably structured form, the results of the tests administered to students and the questionnaires completed by teachers, management staff and families, all based upon a representative sample taken from schools located throughout the country. The survey methodology, which follows international research models for educational assessment, is summarised in the final pages of this publication. The sections following this introduction provide a brief preview of some of the survey data relating to academic achievement and will hopefully enlist the reader's interest in the final report proper. To this end, and in order to provide direct, graphic information which it is hoped may also provoke some debate, the general results of the academic achievement tests in the four areas studied - Spanish Language and Literature, Mathematics, Social Sciences and Natural Sciences - have also been included. The figures offered are the overall percentages of correct answers in each area and the percentages of correct answers in the various sub-areas which are covered in each one. In addition, the results of some of the actual questions put to students are given to illustrate the degree of difficulty of the questions that students were asked to answer in each of the areas and sub-areas into which the test was divided. What 12-year-old students learn about: · Spanish language and literature · Mathematics · Social Sciences · Natural Sciences Population: Students in the Sixth grade of EGB, academic year 1994-1995 Coverage: 95% of the school student population Sample: 437 schools 10,953 students Test administered in: May 1995 Results by areas Spanish language and literature Mathematics Social Sciences Natural Sciences What 12-year-old students learn Spanish language and literature What 12-year-old students learn Spanish language and literature The test consisted of 61 questions 1.     Written comprehension      ·
18 on literary texts
     ·
11 on information texts
     ·
11 on verbal and non-verbal texts
     TOTAL 40 questions 2.     Written expression      ·     1 using syllables      ·     11 using words      ·     6 using sentences      ·     3 using texts      TOTAL 21 questions Overall test There were 61 questions on Comprehension of written texts      ·     literary      ·     information      ·     verbal and non-verbal Written expression      ·     syllables      ·     words      ·     sentences      ·     texts Objective To develop a capacity for written comprehension and expression as basic learning tools Overall Result Average test score: 64% correct answers Easiest question: 95% correct answers Most difficult question: 24% correct answers Average test score: 64% correct answers [col 1] WRITTEN COMPREHENSION There were 40 questions on Comprehension of written texts      ·     literary      ·     information      ·     verbal and non-verbal Objective To develop the student's ability to comprehend texts as a basic learning tool Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 64% correct answers Easiest question: 95% correct answers Most difficult question: 26% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 64% correct answers [col 2] Written comprehension COMPREHENSION OF LITERARY TEXTS There were 17 questions on      ·     description      ·     monologue      ·     dialogue      ·     drama Objective To develop the student's ability to comprehend literary texts as a basic tool for learning and aesthetic appreciation Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 60% correct answers Easiest question: 83% correct answers Most difficult question: 36% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 60% correct answers [col 1] WRITTEN COMPREHENSION Literary texts Easiest question Objective Comprehension of a text written in the first person The student is given an extract from a grandmother's diary, in which she writes about the problems of living with her orphaned grandson and her concern that, should anything happen to her in her old age, the child would have to go to an orphanage. After reading the text, the student must answer the question: In the grandmother's opinion, what would have been worst for Karl? ·
Going to live with an aunt and uncle

1

·

Living alone

2

·

Living with her

3

·

Being sent to an orphanage

Correct answers: 83% [col 2] WRITTEN COMPREHENSION Literary texts Most difficult question Objective Ability to identify the characteristics of a play The student is given a dialogue involving various characters in a play. We can deduce from this dialogue that it is the Mayor's wife who really runs the town. After reading the text, the student is asked to answer the question: Why do you think that the character (the Mayor's wife) really runs the town? ·

Because she holds a political office

1

·

Because she is the one with
the strongest character and
     everyone jumps to her command

·

Because she is the one who talks most

3

·

Because she is the richest person
     in the town

4

Correct answers: 36% [col 3] WRITTEN COMPREHENSION Literary texts Average difficulty Objective To grasp a description in outline and in detail The student is given an extract from Industrias y andanzas de Alfanhuí by Rafael Sánchez Ferlosio. One of the paragraphs indirectly describes how the protagonist observes the gleaming eyes of two rodents in the night. After reading the text, the student must complete the following sentence: The lights that Alfanhuí saw were: ·

Tiny ornamental lights in the garden

1

·

Rodents' eyes gleaming in the night

·

The moon's reflection in the pond

3

·

Drops of water sprayed by the fountain

4

Correct answers: 66% WRITTEN COMPREHENSION COMPREHENSION OF INFORMATION TEXTS There were 12 questions on      ·     instructions      ·     recipes      ·     news      ·     explanatory texts Objective To develop the student's ability to comprehend information texts as a basic tool for learning and for the conveyance of messages in everyday life Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 66% correct answers Easiest question: 87% correct answers Most difficult question: 31% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 66% correct answers [col 1] WRITTEN COMPREHENSION Information texts Easiest question Objective Comprehension of information given in a recipe The student is given an information text describing an experiment to obtain chlorophyll, starch and sugar from leaves. After reading the text, the student is asked to answer the question: If you do as the text says, you will find that... ·

Geranium leaves are green

1

·

The leaves contain iodine and alcohol

2

·

The leaves contain water

3

·

The leaves contain starch and chlorophyll

Correct answers: 87% [col 2] WRITTEN COMPREHENSION Information texts Most difficult question Objective To understand the scientific information in an explanatory text The student is given a text which talks about whales, what they are like, their habits and what man thinks of them. After reading the text, the student is asked to answer the question: "Whales were shot with total impunity" means: ·

Nobody punished people who hunted whales

·

They were very easy to catch

2

·

They were shot with air guns

3

·

They were shot with arrows

4

Correct answers: 31% [col 3] WRITTEN COMPREHENSION Literary texts Average difficulty Objective To distinguish between a set of instructions and other kinds of text The student is given a text containing instructions on the best way to preserve the environment. After reading the text, the student is asked to answer the following question: Say what kind of text you think you have just read: ·

Orders

1

·

Regulations

2

·

Laws

3

·

Instructions

Correct answers: 67% WRITTEN COMPREHENSION COMPREHENSION OF VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL TEXTS There were 11 questions on      ·     advertisements      ·     puzzles      ·     plans      ·     comics Objective To develop the student's ability to comprehend verbal and non-verbal texts as a basic tool for learning and for communication in the major media Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 68% correct answers Easiest question: 95% correct answers Most difficult question: 26% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 68% correct answers [col 1] WRITTEN COMPREHENSION Verbal and non-verbal texts Easiest question Objective Familiarity with the language of advertisements The student must read the text and then circle the number of the correct answer. It is difficult to handle because it is heavy ·

True

1

·

False

Correct answers: 95% [col 2] WRITTEN COMPREHENSION Verbal and non-verbal texts Most difficult question Objective To decipher the clues making up a cryptic message Circle the number of the correct solution to this puzzle ·

he is pale

1

·

he arrives in a bad mood

·

he didn't say anything

3

·

he hasn't called yet

4

Correct answers: 26% [col 3] WRITTEN COMPREHENSION Verbal and non-verbal texts Average difficulty Objective Comprehension of the language and symbols used in comics The student is given a story narrated in the form of a comic strip containing six cartoons, from which it can be deduced that the protagonist, a mouse, works outside of town. After reading the text, the student is asked to answer the following question: This comic strip tells us a story, although there are no words. Which of the following statements is true? ·

The mouse goes to the country on vacation

1

·

The mouse is a parcel deliveryman

2

·

The mouse's workplace is outside Mouseville

·

The mouse is always in a good mood

4

Correct answers: 73% WRITTEN EXPRESSION There were 21 questions on Written expression      ·     syllables      ·     words      ·     sentences      ·     texts Objective To develop the student's ability to express him/herself in writing as a basic tool for inter-personal communication Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 64% correct answers Easiest question: 89% correct answers Most difficult question: 24% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 64% correct answers [col 1] Written expression USING SYLLABLES There was 1 question Objective To develop the student's ability to use syllables as units of language Overall Result Correct answer to the question: 59% Correct answer to the question: 59% [col 2] WRITTEN EXPRESSION Using syllables Objective To separate the syllables in a sentence Count the syllables in the following sentence and mark the correct answer: Toma tu pañuelo hermana ·

10

1

·

8

2

·

9

Correct answer to the question: 59% Written expression USING WORDS There were 11 questions Objective To develop the student's ability to use words as units of language Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 61% correct answers Easiest question: 89% correct answers Most difficult question: 24% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 61% correct answers [col 1] WRITTEN EXPRESSION Using words Easiest question Objective Familiarity with commonly-used words Sometimes people use the Spanish language wrongly. Mark the mistake in this example: El pescao llegó fresco al almacén ·

There should be no article

1

·

There should be a "d" between the "a"
     and the "o"

·

The sentence should have been in the plural

3

·

The sentence is correctly written

4

Correct answers: 89% [col 2] WRITTEN EXPRESSION Using words Most difficult question Objective To distinguish words of different meaning by their spelling Circle the number of the correct meaning: BARÓN ·

Noble title

·

Person of the male sex

2

·

Holy man

3

Correct answers: 24% [col 3] WRITTEN EXPRESSION Using words Average difficulty Objective Grouping together words with related meanings Mark the word which is different from the others ·

Snowfall

·

Breeze

2

·

Wind

3

·

Hurricane

4

·

Gale

5

Correct answers: 62% Written expression USING SENTENCES There were 6 questions Objective To develop the student's ability to use sentences as a form of written expression Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 70% correct answers Easiest question: 83% correct answers Most difficult question: 36% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 70% correct answers [col 1] WRITTEN EXPRESSION Using sentences Easiest question Objective Familiarity with the meaning of commonly-used expressions The word "mano" [hand] has many meanings in Spanish. What is its meaning in the expression "Con la mano en el corazón" [Lit.: With the hand on the heart]? ·

The speaker is an expert on matters of the heart

1

·

Frankly and sincerely

·

The speaker is photographed with his/her
     hand on his/her heart

3

·

The speaker suffers from heart disease

4

Correct answers: 83% [col 2] WRITTEN EXPRESSION Using sentences Most difficult question Objective Familiarity with the meaning of commonly-used expressions Read the following sentence carefully and mark the meaning which you think is most appropriate: "Es un pobre hombre" [Lit. He is a poor man] ·

A person who has been defeated

1

·

A mean, despicable person

2

·

A person with no material goods

·

A person who leads an unhappy life

4

Correct answers: 36% [col 3] WRITTEN EXPRESSION Using sentences Average difficulty Objective Proper sentence punctuation Mark the sentence which is properly punctuated: ·

The train will arrive at eight it is
     running very late

1

·

The train will arrive, at eight, it is
     running very late

2

·

The train will arrive at eight; it is
     running very late

·

The train will arrive, at eight it is
     running very late

4

Correct answers: 67% Written expression USING TEXTS There were 3 questions Objective To develop the student's ability to communicate using paragraphs Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 67% correct answers Easiest question: 80% correct answers Most difficult question: 52% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 67% correct answers [col 1] WRITTEN EXPRESSION Using texts Easiest question Objective Placing sentences in the proper order Read the following sentences carefully and put them in order so that they make up a meaningful text. a. My name is Carnavalito b. Instead of replying, Carnavalito took out his harmonica c. "What is your name?", he ventured to ask d. And the boy replied e. "Where did you appear from, Carnavalito?" ·

a - b - d - e - c

1

·

b - a - d - c - e

2

·

c - d - a - e - b

·

c - d - e - b - a

4

Correct answers: 80% [col 2] WRITTEN EXPRESSION Using texts Most difficult question Objective To continue an unfinished text Which of the sentences below would you use to continue the following text? Huge raindrops exploded in the dust. The mother and child reached the shelter of a rock. ·

He pricked up his ears and sniffed the air

1

·

Father and son rested for a few moments on the rock

2

·

Hard and white, like marble

3

·

Lightning fell around them like burning whiplashes

Correct answers: 52% [col 3] WRITTEN EXPRESSION Using texts Average difficulty Objective To distinguish between different kinds of text A written text may be narrative, a poem, a dialogue, etc. How is the dialogue between characters represented in a written text? ·

Each character introduces him/herself

1

·

It is not represented in any special way

2

·

By putting inverted commas whenever one of
     the characters starts to speak

3

·

By a dash in front of the words spoken by
     the characters, or else indirectly by the      words of the narrator

Correct answers: 69% What 12-year-old students learn Mathematics What 12-year-old students learn MATHEMATICS The test consisted of 37 questions on      ·

21 on Numbers and Operations
     ·
6 on Measurement
     ·
10 on Geometry
[col 2] OVERALL TEST There were 37 questions on      ·
Numbers and Operations
     ·
Measurement
     ·
Geometry
Objective To develop the capacity to reason with mathematical concepts, use procedures and solve problems Overall Result Average test score: 50% correct answers Easiest question: 83% correct answers Most difficult question: 11% correct answers Average test score: 50% correct answers NUMBERS AND OPERATIONS There were 21 questions on      ·     Whole numbers      ·     Common fractions      ·     Decimals      ·     Other subjects Objective To develop the ability to work with whole numbers, simple common fractions and decimals. To find arithmetic means and percentages. Mental arithmetic. Rounding of decimals. Estimating the result of a calculation. Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 50% correct answers Easiest question: 78% correct answers Most difficult question: 11% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 50% correct answers [col 1] NUMBERS AND OPERATIONS Easiest question Objective To find the value of an expression by substituting two values If a = 12 and b = 4, what is the value of 3 x (a - b)? ·
48

·

40

B

·

24

C

·

19

D

Correct answers: 78% [col 2] NUMBERS AND OPERATIONS Most difficult question Objective Rounding up or down to the nearest hundredth decimal place If we round a number up or down to the nearest hundredth decimal place, we get 41.63. Which of the following numbers can be rounded to give that figure? ·

41.628

·

41.623

B

·

41.636

C

·

41.6

D

Correct answers: 11% [col 3] NUMBERS AND OPERATIONS Average difficulty Objective To choose the right operation to solve a problem A housing estate has 16 blocks of flats with 15 floors each block and 6 flats each floor. Which operation is required to find out the number of flats in the whole housing estate? ·

(16 + 15) x 6

A

·

16 + 15 + 6

B

·

16 x (15 + 6)

C

·

16 x 15 x 6

Correct answers: 51% MEASUREMENT There were 6 questions on      ·     Units of the Metric System                - Length                - Area                - Capacity                - Mass and weight                 ·     Units of time measurement Objective Use of units of the Metric System and conversion of units to others of the same magnitude. Use of units of time measurement. Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 49% correct answers Easiest question: 67% correct answers Most difficult question: 29% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 49% correct answers [col 1] MEASUREMENT Easiest question Objective To convert one measurement to another of the same magnitude How many dl are there in 780 dal? ·

78 dl

A

·

780 dl

B

·

78000 dl

·

780000 dl

D

Correct answers: 67% [col 2] MEASUREMENT Most difficult question Objective To convert a non-complex number to a complex number An apple weighs 12542 cg. Mark the other way that this can be expressed. ·

1 cg, 2 dg, 5 g, 4 dag, 2 hg

A

·

2 cg, 4 dg, 5 g, 2 dag, 1 hg

·

42 cg, 25 dg, 1 g

C

·

12 cg, 54 dg, 2 g

D

Correct answers: 29% [col 3] MEASUREMENT Average difficulty Objective To convert a fraction of a kilogram to grams How many grams are there in 3/4 kilogram? ·

133 g

A

·

500 g

B

·

750 g

·

250 g

D

Correct answers: 52% GEOMETRY There were 10 questions on      Plane and three-dimensional shapes      Calculating perimeters and areas      Interpreting scale drawings Objective Identification of geometric terms and familiarity with the properties of figures and bodies. Calculation of areas and perimeters. Interpretation of scales. Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 51% correct answers Easiest question: 83% correct answers Most difficult question: 27% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 51% correct answers [col 1] GEOMETRY Easiest question Objective To calculate a distance given the scale According to this scale, what is the distance between the towns of Billita and Billota? Scale ·

5 km

A

·

12 km

·

15 km

C

·

20 km

D

Correct answers: 83% [col 2] GEOMETRY Most difficult question Objective To calculate the perimeter of a rectangle, given the area and the length of one of the sides A rectangle has an area of 24 m2 and one of its sides is 3 m long. What is the perimeter of the rectangle? ·

24 m

A

·

22 m

·

20 m

C

·

11 m

D

Correct answers: 27% [col 3] GEOMETRY Average difficulty Objective Recognition of right angles. To find an angle given that the sum of the four angles of a quadrilateral is 360' Two of the angles in trapezium ABCD are right angles and one of the other angles measures 54'. What does the fourth angle measure? ·

36'

A

·

27'

B

·

45'

C

·

126'

Correct answers: 46% What 12-year-old students learn Social Sciences What 12-year-old students learn SOCIAL SCIENCES The test consisted of 24 questions on      ·

7 on the countryside
     ·
4 on population and human activities
     ·
2 on social organisation
     ·
2 on communication, information and transport
     ·
9 on historical changes and scenes
[col 2] OVERALL TEST There were 24 questions on      ·
Component elements of the natural countryside
     ·
Demographic features and sectors of economic activity
     ·
Social and political organisation in Spain
     ·
Communication, information and transport
     ·
Ways of life in the great historical epochs
     ·
Important events and people in Spanish history
Objective To become familiar with the essential features of our physical, social and cultural environment and the possibilities of action within it Overall Result Average test score: 61% correct answers Easiest question: 90% correct answers Most difficult question: 35% correct answers Average test score: 61% correct answers THE COUNTRYSIDE There were 7 questions on      ·
Location and identification of elements of the countryside
     ·
Interpretation of plans and maps
     ·
Events observable through the movement of the Earth
Objective To identify, interpret and depict the main elements of the natural environment Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 61% correct answers Easiest question: 87% correct answers Most difficult question: 35% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 61% correct answers [col 1] THE COUNTRYSIDE Easiest question Objective To locate geographical accidents in the Iberian Peninsula In the map below, which of the letters points to the Pyrenees mountains? ·
A

1

·

B

2

·

C

3

·

D

Correct answers: 87% [col 2] THE COUNTRYSIDE Most difficult question Objective Ability to interpret units of measurement in maps and plans The proportion between a drawing and the dimensions of the real object is called: ·

Map

1

·

Plan

2

·

Scale

·

Legend

4

Correct answers: 35% [col 3] THE COUNTRYSIDE Average difficulty Objective To identify different types of map What does the map below show? ·

The altitude of the land

·

The zones where there is most rainfall

2

·

The road network

3

·

The climatic zones

4

Correct answers: 62% POPULATION AND HUMAN ACTIVITIES There were 4 questions on      ·

Basic notions of demographic elements
     ·
Identification of different economic sectors
     ·
Interpretation and analysis of graphs
Objective Familiarity with and ability to interpret and depict the principal features of demography and the various sectors of economic activity Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 51% correct answers Easiest question: 73% correct answers Most difficult question: 35% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 51% correct answers [col 1] POPULATION AND HUMAN ACTIVITIES Easiest question Objective To analyze graphic representations of data Look at the graph. To what year does the following description belong? Primary sector predominant, accounting for more than 50% of the working population [gráfico} Evolution of working population by sectors (in %) Primary sector Secondary sector Tertiary sector ·
1970

1

·

1990

2

·

1950

·

1980

4

Correct answers: 73% [col 2] POPULATION AND HUMAN ACTIVITIES Most difficult question Objective To identify the characterising features of economic sectors The tertiary sector of a country's economy includes trade, transport, media and... ·

industry

1

·

tourism

·

fishing

3

·

mining

4

Correct answers: 35% [col 3] POPULATION AND HUMAN ACTIVITIES Average difficulty Objective To interpret graphic representations of historical series What does the graph say about evolution of the primary sector? [gráfico} Evolution of working population by sectors (in %) Primary sector Secondary sector Tertiary sector ·

It has been constant

1

·

It has declined continuously

·

It has grown continuously

3

·

It declined at first then recovered

4

Correct answers: 57% SOCIAL ORGANISATION There were 2 questions on      ·

The political organisation of the state
     ·
The territorial organisation of Spain
Objective Familiarity with and ability to identify the social, political and territorial organisation of Spain Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 58% correct answers Easiest question: 60% correct answers Most difficult question: 56% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 58% correct answers [col 1] SOCIAL ORGANISATION Easiest question Objective Familiarity with and ability to identify the political organisation of Spain Columns A, B, C and D describe four relationships. In only one all four pairs are correct. Mark the correct letter. A Minister-Government Senator-Senate Congressman-Court Judge-Congress B Judge-Court Congressman-Congress Minister-Senate Senator-Government C Senator-Senate Congressman-Congress Minister-Government Judge-Court D Congressman-Court Senator-Senate Judge-Congress Minister-Government ·
A

1

·

B

2

·

C

·

D

4

Correct answers: 60% [col 2] SOCIAL ORGANISATION Most difficult question Objective Familiarity with and ability to identify the territorial organisation of Spain In the map below, which of the following letters mark a single-province autonomous region? ·

A

1

·

B

2

·

C

·

D

4

Correct answers: 56% COMMUNICATION, INFORMATION AND TRANSPORT There were 2 questions on      ·

Information Technology: storage and processing of information
     ·
Road safety education
Objective To become familiar with and understand the value of the different communication and information processing media, and to observe the traffic rules and signals Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 65% correct answers Easiest question: 85% correct answers Most difficult question: 46% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 65% correct answers [col 1] COMMUNICATION, INFORMATION AND TRANSPORT Easiest question Objective Familiarity with and appreciation of the value of information technology If a company uses a great deal of data in the conduct of its business, which is the best means of keeping these data? ·
Folders

1

·

Computers

·

A number of employees

3

·

Diaries

4

Correct answers: 85% [col 2] COMMUNICATION, INFORMATION AND TRANSPORT Most difficult question Objective Familiarity with and observance of the rules of the road If you are a pedestrian walking on the open road, you should walk on the part of the road where you are facing the traffic nearest you. Which side is that? ·

Right

1

·

Left

·

Centre

3

·

Any one

4

Correct answers: 46% HISTORICAL CHANGES AND SCENES There were 9 questions on      ·

Basic aspects of historical time.
          Units of measurement      ·
Ways of life in the great historical epochs
     ·
Important events in Spanish history
     ·
Historical sources
Objective Ability to recognise changes and transformations connected with the passage of time Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 64% correct answers Easiest question: 90% correct answers Most difficult question: 43% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 64% correct answers [col 1] HISTORICAL CHANGES AND SCENES Easiest question Objective Recognition of changes and transformations connected with the passage of time These ships belong to different historical epochs. Can you arrange them in chronological order from the oldest to the most modern? ·
C D B A

1

·

C A B D

2

·

D B C A

3

·

D B A C

Correct answers: 90% [col 2] HISTORICAL CHANGES AND SCENES Most difficult question Objective Knowledge of basic aspects of historical time [escala: a.C.=B.C. / d.C.=A.D.] On the time line below, how many years does each unit represent? ·

100

·

10

2

·

1000

3

·

25

4

Correct answers: 43% [col 3] HISTORICAL CHANGES AND SCENES Average difficulty Objective Understanding of historical texts Students are asked to read a text from 1826 describing the jobs that children performed in London during the early years of the Industrial Revolution, then answer the question: What was the basic reason for hiring children for these tasks? ·

It was a means of ensuring that they
     were properly fed and educated

1

·

They learned a trade on which they
     could live when they grew up

2

·

Wages were lower, and they were more
     submissive than adults and did not      protest

·

There were not enough adults to do
     all the jobs that there were

4

Correct answers: 62% What 12-year-old students learn Natural Sciences What 12-year-old students learn NATURAL SCIENCES The test consisted of 23 questions on      ·

6 on human beings and health
     ·
7 on the physical environment
     ·
5 on living beings
     ·
4 on materials and their properties
[col 2] OVERALL TEST There were 23 questions on      ·
Human beings and health
     ·
The physical environment
     ·
Living beings, animals and plants
     ·
Materials and their properties
Objective Knowledge of the natural environment and acquisition of the necessary knowledge to develop habits of hygiene, health and respect for nature Overall Result Average test score: 64% correct answers Easiest question: 86% correct answers Most difficult question: 37% correct answers Average test score: 64% correct answers HUMAN BEINGS AND HEALTH There were 6 questions on      ·
Functioning of the motor system and the digestive, respiratory, circulatory, excretory and reproductive apparatuses
     ·
The effect of certain eating habits or habits of general hygiene on health
Objective Understanding of the functioning of the human body. Ability to identify the main parts by name, and also the functions of each one Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 68% correct answers Easiest question: 86% correct answers Most difficult question: 37% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 68% correct answers [col 1] HUMAN BEINGS AND HEALTH Easiest question Objective Identification of basic aspects of nutrition If we ate nothing but meat, would this be good or bad for our bodies? ·
Bad, because we would lack carbohydrates
     and certain vitamins

·

Good, because meat contains everything
     we need

2

·

Bad, because we would grow too much

3

·

Good because it would provide the materials
     that we need to grow

4

Correct answers: 86% [col 2] HUMAN BEINGS AND HEALTH Most difficult question Objective Identification of the functions of the organs in the excretory apparatus What is the principal function of urine? ·

To remove water from the blood

1

·

To remove digestive waste

2

·

To remove gastric juices from the stomach

3

·

To remove waste substances from the blood

Correct answers: 37% [col 3] HUMAN BEINGS AND HEALTH Average difficulty Objective Recognition of basic aspects of the circulatory apparatus By means of the circulatory apparatus, the blood ·

Carries food from the stomach to the intestine

1

·

Carries nutrients and oxygen to all of the
     body's organs

·

Carries oxygen from the nostrils to the lungs

3

·

Carries waste from the kidneys to the bladder

4

Correct answers: 66% THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT There were 7 questions on      ·

Characteristics and properties of rock, soil and air
     ·
The sky, movements of the Earth, the seasons, day and night
     ·
Exploitation of natural resources
Objective Recognition of the principal elements of the natural environment and the processes whereby changes and transformations take place in the environment Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 63% correct answers Easiest question: 84% correct answers Most difficult question: 40% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 63% correct answers [col 1] THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Easiest question Objective Identification of the principal factors of pollution in cities Fumes gradually gather over the city and sometimes form a layer which hangs over it. We cannot see this layer but we are exposed to its harmful effects. How could we prevent this? ·
By setting up fans to blow away the fumes

1

·

By limiting the use of cars and heating

·

By having tall chimneys on houses

3

·

By using pollutant fuels

4

Correct answers: 84% [col 2] THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Most difficult question Objective Recognition of the conditions required for rain to occur Clouds are large masses of water vapour. What conditions are necessary for it to rain? ·

No wind

1

·

Formation of tiny drops which fall by
     their own weight

·

A lower temperature on the ground than
     in the cloud

3

·

A sudden rise in the temperature of the cloud

4

Correct answers: 40% [col 3] THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Average difficulty Objective Identification of the causes of the Earth's movement What causes there to be seasons? ·

The Moon revolving around the Earth

1

·

The inclination of the Earth's axis and
     its movement around the Sun

·

The Sun orbiting around the Earth

3

·

The Earth's spin

4

Correct answers: 57% [col 1] LIVING BEINGS There were 5 questions on      ·

Animals and plants; their development, functions and classification
     ·
Relationships between living beings
     ·
Observation of life-forms
Objective The student should be familiar with the basic characteristics of the principal plants and animals in the immediate environment Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 64% correct answers Easiest question: 82% correct answers Most difficult question: 40% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 64% correct answers [col 2] LIVING BEINGS Easiest question Objective Recognition of the principal parts of plants Which are a flower's reproductory organs? ·
Corolla and calyx

1

·

Petals and sepals

2

·

Stamens and gynaeceum

·

Petals and corolla

4

Correct answers: 82% [col 1] LIVING BEINGS Most difficult question Objective Understanding of the importance of animals for humans In a terrarium we place plants, a piece of bread and some insects, such as greenfly, ladybirds, potato beetles and ants. We then study the behaviour of these living beings and write down our observations: ·

Greenfly: These live on the plants and feed on the juices in the stems
·
Ladybirds: These live among the plants and feed on greenfly
·
Potato beetles: These live on the plants and feed on their leaves
·
Ants: These roam all over the terrarium, eating bread and other dead insects
Which of the insects could we say are good for crops? ·
Greenfly and ladybirds

1

·

None

2

·

Beetles

3

·

Ladybirds

Correct answers: 40% [col 2] LIVING BEINGS Average difficulty Objective Knowledge of the more general classifications in the animal world All these animals are vertebrates. Which are birds and why? [dibujos: Bat  Duck  Lizard  Ostrich  Frog ·

Bats and ducks, because they fly

1

·

Lizards, because they lay eggs

2

·

Frogs and ducks because they live near water

3

·

Ducks and ostriches, because they have feathers

Correct answers: 61% MATERIALS AND THEIR PROPERTIES There were 5 questions on      ·

Origin and properties of materials
     ·
Mass, volume, weight, etc.
     ·
Physical and chemical changes
     ·
Uses of materials
Objective An approach to physical and chemical science through the introduction to the study of the properties of materials Overall Result Average score for this part of the test: 59% correct answers Easiest question: 70% correct answers Most difficult question: 44% correct answers Average score for this part of the test: 59% correct answers [col 1] MATERIALS AND THEIR PROPERTIES Easiest question Objective Analyzing the result of a simple experiment All the balls below are the same size. Which is the lightest? ·
A

1

·

B

2

·

C

·

We cannot tell

4

Correct answers: 70% [col 2] MATERIALS AND THEIR PROPERTIES Most difficult question Objective Knowledge of the origin of fuels Petroleum is a fossil fuel formed from ·

Plutonium

1

·

Sea water

2

·

Gasoline

3

·

Remains of buried and animals and plants

Correct answers: 44% [col 3] MATERIALS AND THEIR PROPERTIES Average difficulty Objective Knowledge of the properties of materials Icebergs float on water. Which of the following statements is correct in this connection? ·

Ice is not as hard as water

1

·

Ice is colder and that is why it floats

2

·

Ice is less dense than water and floats on it

·

Ice does not always float on water

4

Correct answers: 64% Methodology [col 1] Objectives and Scope Objectives ·

To ascertain and assess what students know about Spanish language and literature, mathematics, social sciences and natural sciences by the end of the Sixth year of EGB (age 12).
·
To relate performance levels to contextual factors and educational processes.
Geographical scope ·
All Spanish territory except Ceuta and Melilla.
Population scope ·
All students registered in the Sixth year of EGB in the academic year 1994/1995, except:
-
Students registered at schools with less than 10 students in Second grade of Primary or Sixth grade of EGB.
     -
Students with special educational needs.
·
Overall, the population excluded form the survey comes to a total of 5%.
[col 2] Sample design Sampling type ·
By conglomerates, stratified in two stages:
- 1st stage: random selection from schools in the strata.
- 2nd stage: random selection of a Sixth-year EGB classroom in each of the schools selected in stage 1.
·
Stratification of schools by:
     - Autonomous Region      - type of school (public or private)      - school size as determined by number of classes ·
The sample includes:
-
students in the selected class with no special educational needs
-
teachers of the assessed subject areas in that class
-
managerial staff at the selected schools
-
parents of selected students
Sample precision The purpose of the sampling process was to arrive at estimates of means and percentages with a confidence coefficient of 95% and the following margins of error: ·
nationwide estimators:
     -
Means: ± 0.1s (s: estimation of standard deviation)
     -
Percentages: ± 5%
·
pre-established sample size:
     -
Autonomous Regions with full responsibility for education: 34 schools
     -
Autonomous Regions where the Ministry of Education is responsible: 20 schools
     -
Pre-established total: 438 schools
Proportional sample adjusted to the population size within each stratum. [col 1] Tests and questionnaires Tests of knowledge and attitudes Type of questions: * multiple choice Question selection process A set of questions tested in a pilot survey was taken for each area and a selection made for inclusion in the final test, on the basis of: ·
their statistical features
     -
how they fit the Item Response Theory (IRT) model
     -
discrimination index, point biserial correlation coefficient greater than 0.2
     -
similar percentages in the selection of distractors
·
coverage of all the content blocks
·
coverage of content types (concepts, procedures and attitudes)
·
time required for answering
Composition of tests ·
Language: 61 questions
·
Mathematics: 37 questions
·
Social and Natural Sciences
     -
23 questions on Natural Sciences
     -
24 questions on Social Sciences
All tests included questions on students' attitudes to the subject matter concerned. Context questionnaires The purpose of these is to gather information on the general educational context and on educational processes and the educational environment. The following questionnaires were compiled:      -
General Student Questionnaire
     -
Teacher Questionnaire
     -
Management Staff Questionnaire
     -
Family Questionnaire
[col 2] Administration Dates of administration ·
May and June 1995
Administration procedure ·
Morning:
     -
1st session: Spanish language and literature, 60 minutes
     -
Break
     -
2nd session: Mathematics, 60 minutes
     -
3rd session: Context Questionnaire, 30 minutes
·
Afternoon or morning of the next day:
     -
4th session: Social and Natural Sciences, 60 minutes
Effective sample size ·
437 schools
Quality of estimations of overall performance in the four areas ·
Confidence coefficient: 95%
·
Margin of error: ± 1% of estimator value
Reader's note: The overall average of correct answers in the Language test was 64%. Given a margin of error of ± 1%, we have stated that the overall average of correct answers for the whole population was between 63 and 65 per cent. The degree of certainty of this statement is given by a confidence coefficient of 95%; this means that if many samples were to be obtained by the same procedure and the corresponding intervals calculated, 95% would contain the true average for the population.



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