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Assessment for Learning


 Assessment for Learning

TSA Data

 

Lastest News

Date
Topic Highlights
20 Nov 2023

2023 Territory-wide System Assessment Report

20 Nov 2023

Press Release: HKEAA submits 2023 Territory-wide System Assessment Report

4 Jul 2023

Territory-wide System Assessment of Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics at Primary 3 (P3) and Secondary 3 (S3) in 2023/24

6 Jul 2022

Territory-wide System Assessment of Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics at Primary 3 (P3), Primary 6 (P6) and Secondary 3 (S3) in 2022/23

23 May 2022
Presentation slides of the 'Gainful Use of Territory-wide System Assessment 2022 Materials' briefing session (Chinese version only)
6 May 2022

Arrangement for the "Gainful Use of Territory-wide System Assessment 2022 Materials" (the Circular Letter and related Annexes)

(Schools will receive the original copy of the captioned circular letter and related annexes from 10 May 2022 onwards. Before this, schools are recommended to download the corresponding documents for reference in advance.)

15 Feb 2022

In view of the volatile development of the epidemic, the EDB announced today the suspension of the Territory-wide System Assessment 2022. The EDB will discuss with the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority on how to assist the school sector to understand the overall learning situation and will communicate with the schools in a timely manner.

10 Dec 2021

Arrangement for “Gainful Use of Territory-wide System Assessment 2021 Materials” (GU21) – Release of School-Level Performance Analysis

The Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) sent a letter of notification to all participating schools of GU21 yesterday (9 December 2021). All participating schools will be able to download the related school performance analysis from the mentioned web page using the password provided in the letter from late afternoon today (10 December 2021) and onwards. In the letter, the HKEAA has also extended the invitation to all schools to enroll in the related Thematic Seminars and complete the “Opinion Survey on the Arrangement for GU21” to share schools' views on the GU21 arrangements.

For enquiries, schools may contact the HKEAA at 3628 8181 (primary schools) or 3628 8191 (secondary schools).

30 Jun 2021

Territory-wide System Assessment of Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics at Primary 3 (P3) and Secondary 3 (S3) in 2021/22

10 May 2021

An Article on Student Assessment Repository (STAR) (Chinese version only) (an extract from the April 2021 Edition of EDB Pulse)

7 May 2021

Presentation slides of the 'Gainful Use of Territory-wide System Assessment 2021 Materials' briefing session (Chinese version only) (Updates on 6 May 2021)

26 Apr 2021

Arrangement for the "Gainful Use of Territory-wide System Assessment 2021 Materials" (the Circular Letter and related Annexes)

(Schools will also receive the original copy of the captioned circular letter and related annexes from tomorrow onwards. Before this, schools are recommended to download the corresponding documents for reference in advance and complete the Reply Slip at Annex 3 "Briefing Sessions of the "Gainful Use of TSA 2021 Materials" Arrangement" and return it to the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority for arrangement.)

22 Apr 2021

As a regular review and enhancement of user experience on the STAR platform, new and enhanced features of "STAR 2.1" are rolled out on 21 April 2021 to facilitate interested schools to more effectively incorporate STAR into their school-based assessments as a regular and frequently-used assessment tool. For details, please browse the STAR webpage.

22 Feb 2021

EDB announces suspension of Territory-wide System Assessment 2021

11 Dec 2020

In order to facilitate teachers to further understand students' learning situation and timely provide them with appropriate teaching resources and support, the HKEAA is going to organise the web Thematic Seminars on "Gainful Use of TSA 2020 Materials" on 18 and 22 December.  Teachers are welcomed to register through the EDB Training Calendar System via the following links:

Performance of Primary 3 Students
https://tcs.edb.gov.hk/tcs/admin/courses/previewCourse/forPortal.htm?courseId=EI0020200316&lang=en

Performance of Primary 6 Students
https://tcs.edb.gov.hk/tcs/admin/courses/previewCourse/forPortal.htm?courseId=EI0020200321&lang=en

Performance of Secondary 3 Students
https://tcs.edb.gov.hk/tcs/admin/courses/previewCourse/forPortal.htm?courseId=EI0020200322&lang=en

27 Nov 2020

The updated Basic Competency Descriptors for Key Stage 2 (Primary 4 – 6)
Mathematics for the revised primary Mathematics curriculum (Primary 4 – 6)
(With effect from the 2023 Primary 6 Territory-wide System Assessment and onwards)

The updated Basic Competency Descriptors for Key Stage 3 (Secondary 1 – 3)
Mathematics for the revised Secondary Mathematics curriculum (Secondary 1 – 3)
(With effect from the 2023 Secondary 3 Territory-wide System Assessment and onwards)

26 Nov 2020

To facilitate schools' and teachers' use of the STAR platform to enhance students' learning and obtain instant performance analysis during the suspension period of face-to-face classes due to the epidemic (temporarily from 23 November 2020 to Christmas Holiday), featured Preset Assessment Tasks of Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics will be listed on the platform every week. Please browse the STAR webpage (https://star.hkedcity.net/en/) for more details. (Last update: 30 November, 14:30) 

1 Sep 2020

Latest Arrangements for "Gainful Use of TSA 2020 Materials" Online Version (1 September 2020) (Last update: 2 September, 15:30) 

22 Jul 2020

Pursuant to the Education Bureau (EDB)’s announcement on 10 July regarding the early commencement of summer holiday for all secondary and primary schools as well as kindergartens in Hong Kong based on schools’ practical needs, the EDB announced the latest arrangements for the “Gainful Use of TSA 2020 Materials” on 13 July. The Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) also issued the reply slip for the latest arrangements to all schools yesterday (i.e. 21 July) via emails. If schools need to amend the original participation options, they can fax the completed rely slip to the HKEAA. The reply slip has been uploaded onto the website of “Basic Competency Assessment” of the HKEAA as well. Given it is premature to conclude the pandemic development at the moment, we advise schools to simultaneously use or change to use the STAR online version of the assessment resources in Period 2 with a view to enhancing flexibility in learning and teaching.

16 Jul 2020
26 Jun 2020

Acknowledging some schools need more time to fix the assessment schedule for joining the ''Gainful Use of TSA 2020 Materials'', please kindly note that the HKEAA has extended the deadline for reverting the Reply Slip (i.e. Annex 5 of the EDB's Letter to schools on 5 June 2020 referring to the same subject) to 6:00 p.m. on 24 July 2020. For any related enquiries, please contact the service hotlines of the HKEAA at 3628 8181.

23 Jun 2020

Acknowledging some schools need more time to fix the assessment schedule for joining the ''Gainful Use of TSA 2020 Materials'', please kindly note that the HKEAA has extended the deadline for reverting the Reply Slip (i.e. Annex 5 of the EDB's Letter to schools on 5 June 2020 referring to the same subject) to 6:00 p.m. this Friday (i.e. 26 June 2020). For any related enquiries, please contact the service hotlines of the HKEAA at 3628 8181.

8 Jun 2020
25 Mar 2020

Invitation to Expression of Interest

02 Mar 2020

Arrangements for the 2020 Territory-wide System Assessment

05 Nov 2019 
05 Nov 2019
16 Sep 2019
The updated Basic Competency Descriptors for Key Stage 1 (Primary 1 – 3)
Mathematics for the revised primary Mathematics curriculum (Primary 1 – 3)

(With effect from the 2022 Primary 3 Territory-wide System Assessment and onwards)
(Last update: 27 Nov, 2020) 

23 Oct 2018
23 Oct 2018
16 Mar 2018
1 Nov 2017
10 Apr 2017
6 Apr 2017
9 Mar 2017
8 Mar 2017
10 Feb 2017
23 Jan 2017
9 Dec 2016
9 Dec 2016
9 Nov 2016
24 Oct 2016
13 Jun 2016
22 Mar 2016
29 Feb 2016
4 Feb 2016

 

Basic Competency Assessment

Basic Competency Assessment comprises three components, namely Territory-wide System Assessment (TSA), Student Assessment Repository* (STAR) and Web-based Learning and Teaching Support (WLTS).

Student Assessment Repository (STAR) is an upgraded version of Student Assessment and was launched in January 2017.

 

Territory-wide System Assessment (TSA)

In 2000, the Education Commission proposed to introduce Basic Competency Assessment in its report entitled "Learning for Life. Learning through Life"  to better enhance the effectiveness of learning and teaching.  TSA is one of the components of Basic Competency Assessment.  TSA is an assessment on students' basic competencies in Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics upon completion of the three key stages of learning (i.e. Primary 3, Primary 6 and Secondary 3).  Basic competencies form part of the curriculum and are embedded in schools' everyday teaching and internal assessments.  Students are expected to acquire the basic competencies in the three subjects in order to proceed effectively to the next key stage of learning.

 

At the territory-wide level, TSA data enables the Government to review education policies and focused support provided for schools.  An annual Territory-wide System Assessment Report gives an account of the overall performance of students participating in the assessment in a particular year.

 

At the school level, TSA provides four types of school reports with different coverage for schools' selection to serve the purpose of Assessment for Learning.  It helps teachers identify the overall strengths and weaknesses of students and formulate plans to improve the effectiveness of learning and teaching in light of the assessment data and their schools' development needs.  In general, after analysing students' performance in TSA, schools will follow up through various measures, such as adjusting the teaching content, revamping the design of worksheets and assessments, and arranging after-school remedial programmes to cater for learner diversity.

 

All TSA items are uploaded onto the following websites:

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Student Assessment Repository (STAR)

STAR is an online assessment item bank covering a vast array of assessment items of Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics from Key Stages 1 to 3.  The platform provides instant assessment reports on the performance of participating students for teachers' reference through a computer system.  All primary and secondary schools can use it any time during the school year on a voluntary basis.  The related feedback helps teachers review individual students' learning progress and difficulties with reference to the key learning points, and set the next learning objectives for the students. 

 

With a view to constantly enhancing learning and teaching effectiveness, catering for students' learner diversity as well as strengthening Assessment for Learning and assessment literacy, the platform has been further upgraded to STAR since October 2020, extending the coverage progressively from Basic Competencies to the full curricula of Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics.  Apart from the relatively large amount of reading assessment tasks of language subjects currently offered, STAR will encompass more listening, writing and speaking assessment tasks.  The assessment items of Mathematics will also cover the learning objectives of the Non-foundation Topics (applicable to Key Stage 3) by phases.

 

To further enhance the STAR user experience and help interested schools to more effectively incorporate STAR into their school-based curriculum as a regular, frequently-used assessment tool, the platform features will be enhanced and strengthened by phases to enhance learning and teaching effectiveness.  

 

Please browse the STAR platform for more details: https://star.hkedcity.net/en

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Web-based Learning and Teaching Support (WLTS)

WLTS is an online platform of ready-made learning and teaching resources developed to address students' learning difficulties. Teachers can use the resources to devise follow-up plans and adjust strategies and plans in learning and teaching. There are also interactive games designed for students to learn in a fun way.

 

Please browse the WLTS platform for more details: https://wlts.edb.hkedcity.net/en/

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The Coordinating Committee on Basic Competency Assessment and Assessment Literacy

Established in October 2014, the Coordinating Committee on Basic Competency Assessment and Assessment Literacy (the Committee) is tasked with recommending directions for the development of "Basic Competency Assessment" (including "Territory-wide System Assessment" (TSA) and "Student Assessment") as well as the enhancement of assessment literacy among schools. 

 

 

Review of Basic Competency Assessment

The Education Bureau (EDB) announced in late October 2015 that the Committee would conduct a comprehensive review of the implementation of TSA.  Two working groups have been set up under the Committee to conduct an in-depth study of the reporting and administration and the papers and question design of TSA respectively, with a view to recommending short, medium and long-term improvement measures. The Committee submitted to EDB the Report on Review of the Territory-wide System Assessment in February 2016.

 

 

2016 Tryout Study (Primary 3)

The Committee submitted to the Education Bureau the Report on 2016 Tryout Study (Primary 3) in December 2016. Based on the recommendations by the Committee, the TSA 2016 (Primary 3) should be implemented as a tryout arrangement in order to obtain views on the adjusted assessment papers and question design together with the different formats of reporting.  The outcome of the 2016 Tryout Study (Primary 3) would be appropriately adopted for enhancement of the 2017 assessment arrangement. Please click here for details.

 

2017 Basic Competency Assessment Research Study (2017 Research Study)

The Education Bureau announced in January 2017 the introduction of the 2017 Research Study, extending the new initiatives for enhancement under the 2016 Tryout Study (Primary 3) to all primary schools in the territory in 2017 with a view to collecting more comprehensive feedback. The new initiatives for enhancement included improving assessment papers and question design, enhancing school reports, strengthening diversified professional support measures and including a questionnaire survey on learning attitude and motivation. All public sector primary schools (i.e. more than 470 schools) and more than 20 private primary schools participated in the 2017 Research Study. Details are set out in the Report on Review of the Primary 3 Territory-wide System Assessment 2015-17.

 

Arrangements for the 2020 Territory-wide System Assessment

Having assessed the developments of the COVID-19 epidemic, gauging the views of the school sector and making reference to the previous experiences in handling epidemics, the Education Bureau (EDB) has decided to suspend the Territory-wide System Assessment (including all oral and written assessments), which is originally scheduled to be held from April to June of the current school year. Considering the setting of all questions of the Territory-wide System Assessment has basically been completed, the EDB will discuss with the school sector on how to make good use of the assessment materials set against the related Basic Competencies, allowing both schools and the EDB to better understand how the class suspension due to the epidemic as well as various arrangements on "suspending classes without suspending learning" have affected students' learning. It enables schools to focally address the area students warrant support in future with a view to enhancing assessment for learning.

 

Arrangements for the Territory-wide System Assessment 2021

In view of the volatility of the COVID-19 epidemic, the Education Bureau (EDB) has decided to suspend the Territory-wide System Assessment (TSA) 2021 (including all speaking assessments and pen-and-paper assessments) so that schools can make the most out of the remainder of the current school year to conduct face-to-face lessons. The EDB will collaborate with the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) and Hong Kong Education City Limited (HKEdCity) again to roll out the “Gainful Use of Territory-wide System Assessment 2021 Materials” arrangement, enabling schools to make best use of the TSA materials already prepared and consolidated by the HKEAA with the original pen-and-paper mode or the online assessment mode provided on the Student Assessment Repository (STAR) platform, so as to understand the learning situation of students under the epidemic and follow up on their support needs. The related arrangements and participation details will be announced in the briefing sessions to be held in later April 2021.

 

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Resources

Powerpoint

Understanding Basic Competency Assessment (Chinese Version)

powerpoint

2016 Tryout Study and 2017 Basic Competency Assessment Research Study (Chinese Version)

powerpoint


Related Articles

TSA, International Survey: Purpose and Method (Chinese Version)

article

Data analysis of TSA cohort study (Chinese Version)

article

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Videos

Update on TSA

What is TSA for?

video

Buying supplementary exercises on TSA? Don't do that!

video

How does TSA benefit students? 

video

To drill or not to drill? 

video

How does TSA benefit schools? 

video

How does TSA data help teachers ?

video

 

2016 Tryout Study (Primary 3) and 2017 Basic Competency Assessment Research Study

Basic Competency Assessment Research Study

video

Enhance the assessment papers and question design (short version)

video

Enhance the assessment papers and question design (long version)

video

Questionnaire Survey on Students' learning attitudes and motivation (short version)

video

Questionnaire Survey on Students' learning attitudes and motivation (long version)

video

Professional support measures

 video 

 

2016 Tryout Study (Primary 3)  Sharing of school experience

SKH Tin Shui Wai Ling Oi Primary School

School’s sharing

video

Principal’s sharing

video

Teacher’s sharing

video

Parent’s sharing

video

 

Lok Sin Tong Lau Tak Primary School

School’s sharing

video

Principal’s sharing

video

Teacher’s sharing 1

video

Teacher’s sharing 2

video

Teacher’s sharing 3

video

Parent’s sharing

video

 

PLK HKTA Yuen Yuen Primary School

School’s sharing

video

Principal’s sharing

video

Teacher’s sharing

video

Parent’s sharing

video

 

SAHK Jockey Club Elaine Field School

School’s sharing

video

Principal’s sharing

video

Teacher’s sharing 1

video

Teacher’s sharing 2

video

Teacher’s sharing 3

video

Teacher’s sharing 4

video

 

Quality Primary Education Seminar

How to Enhance Learning in Chinese, English and Mathematics(Ms Shirley Loo, General Secretary of The Family Development Foundation)

video

 

TSA Series

Series (1): The truth about TSA (Cantonese with Chinese subtitles)

video

Series (2): Effective learning – Mechanical drilling doesn’t help (Cantonese with Chinese subtitles)

video

Series (3): Use of assessment data for effective teaching (Cantonese with Chinese subtitles)

video

Series (4): Web-based Learning and Teaching Support (WLTS) and School-based Support Services (Cantonese with Chinese subtitles)

video

 

Introduction to TSA

For parents (Cantonese with English subtitles)

video

For schools (Cantonese with English subtitles)

video

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Fact Sheets and Leaflets

Basic Competency Assessment

Leaflet

Understanding the different aspects of TSA

Fact sheet

Assessment for Learning – Territory-wide System Assessment (For Schools)

Leaflet

Territory-wide System Assessment (Chinese Version)

Leaflet

Safeguarding the healthy development of children, supporting the autonomy of the education profession  (Chinese Version)

 Initiative

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