End of term exams

[hoxtonbabe]

Hi,

My son has his usual end of term exams next week, he came home today saying his english teacher said he (and his class) could bring revision notes into the exam?!?! This doesnt sound right to me as i most certainly could not bring any notes in when I was a wee lass, but hey times may have changed, although if they have acess to the answers I dont see the point of the exam.

Is this normal?

Thanks

What year is he in?

I sometimes let my students use their notes when they do exam questions, but Not if it's an actual exam such as a mock. I let them use notes when we are practising so they can get a sense of what a really good answer is like.

he is in year 9, every Dec, April and July they have these exams to check abilty, etc.. but he has never been allowed or needed to to take in notes before

However my son is statemented (not learning difficulties to the point of needing notes in exams though) and if he is relying on notes then the school is not getting a true reflection of his needs/understanding of his subject, which considering the primary need of his statement (speech, language and communication) it is a major deal

Would not be abnormal in English. English is a skills-based subject and thus does not test fact recall etc., but rather how the child can use their skills. Open book exams are a much better measure of how the child can work than getting them to waste their time memorising quotes and then use these regardless of whether they are actually applicable to the question or not. It encourages close analysis rather than wild generalisations.

Or, if this is not for Literature, then it might be preparation for the CAs your child will be sitting in Year 10. They are then able to plan essays/ make notes outside of the exam and bring these (very limited) notes in with them. The idea is more to give students a structure for their revision than really to be useful in the exam, as far as I can see.

p.s. if your child has a statement, the exams won't be the only thing used to check ability. And, erm, if any of my statemented kids brought in notes which they could
a) be bothered to write
b) be bothered to read
c) were good enough to help them in the exam in any way, I would be delighted

Thanks folks...

Tortu: Sad thing is the SENCO is only using his termly exams to track progress, and I mean ONLY, to the point of no documentation or papertrail or any sort relating to his SEN, even though the statement is as specific as you can get and clearly states how he should be monitored...I am now in a big battle with my LEA over this. Oh the joys!