Confusion Over Yoon's Remarks on Academic Achievement "Comprehensive Evaluation"... Education Sector Fears Ranking System

President Yoon: "All schools wishing to participate in comprehensive academic achievement assessments will be allowed"
Education Ministry clarifies it does not mean the return of nationwide exams
'National Achievement Assessment' sampling evaluation continues... 'Customized Academic Achievement Assessment' is voluntary
Comprehensive assessment specified in pledges, raising possibility of future nationwide exam revival

On the 24th, when the 2022 academic year March National Joint Academic Achievement Test was conducted for 950,000 high school students from grades 1 to 3 nationwide, three students at Yongsan High School in Seoul were preparing for the exam. This academic achievement test is being held simultaneously nationwide on the same day for the first time in three years since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Jinju] As the government plans to expand the target group for academic achievement assessments aimed at diagnosing basic academic skills, there are growing expectations that President Yoon Seok-yeol's remarks on 'universal assessment' may lead to the 'revival' of universal testing. This is also being interpreted as a move to strengthen the competitive education policy.

On the 11th, the Ministry of Education announced the '1st Comprehensive Plan to Guarantee Basic Academic Skills,' stating that the target group for the 'customized academic achievement voluntary assessment,' currently conducted for 3rd graders in elementary school, 3rd graders in middle school, and 2nd graders in high school, will be gradually expanded from 3rd grade elementary to 2nd grade high school starting in 2024. The basic academic skills diagnostic correction system, currently covering grades 1 through 11, will also be expanded to cover grades 1 through 12. By linking the customized academic achievement voluntary assessment with the basic academic skills diagnostic test, the plan aims to strengthen personalized diagnostics. Based on the results of the customized academic achievement voluntary assessment, students' levels will be determined, followed by a detailed diagnosis through the basic academic skills diagnostic test to assess whether they have reached the basic academic proficiency. Students eligible for basic academic support will also be selected based on diagnostic test results, teacher observations, and interviews.

The education sector is expressing concerns about the possible revival of the nationwide test due to the president's use of the term 'universal assessment.' The issue arose when President Yoon Seok-yeol stated at the Cabinet meeting on the 11th, "We will allow all schools that wish to participate in the academic achievement universal assessment, which was abolished by the previous administration." The Ministry of Education currently conducts academic achievement assessments using a sampling method, but the president's remarks have raised concerns that this might shift to universal testing.

In response, Deputy Minister of Education Jang Sang-yoon said, "There is absolutely no intention to revive the nationwide test or universal assessment, either in what the president said or in the comprehensive plan to guarantee basic academic skills that we have prepared." He added, "The term 'universal assessment' used by the president was emphasized to highlight that it was abolished by the previous government, and the customized academic achievement assessment will be conducted based on schools that wish to participate."

Although the Ministry of Education has rushed to clarify the situation, it is difficult to rule out the possibility of it evolving into a universal assessment. This is clearly reflected in the Ministry's current understanding and recognition of issues related to academic achievement assessments. In the explanatory materials distributed by the Ministry, it is stated that "since the evaluation is conducted autonomously by schools, it is difficult to diagnose based on consistent standards, and the current diagnostic tools have limitations in providing personalized diagnostics that consider students' levels and abilities." The Ministry also noted that "there is a tendency among parents (guardians) to avoid having their children selected as eligible for support due to concerns about stigmatization."

In June last year, the Ministry of Education announced that the national-level academic achievement assessment would be converted to a computer-based format and that voluntary assessments would be expanded to allow schools that wish to participate. The customized academic achievement voluntary assessment can be taken by applying during the desired period from September to October 28 and from December 1 to March 31 of the following year. Although the core of this comprehensive plan to guarantee basic academic skills is to expand the 'customized academic achievement voluntary assessment,' the education sector views the next step as likely being a universal national-level academic achievement survey.

The fact that conservative superintendents are advocating for the expansion of academic achievement assessments in their regions also raises concerns about the expansion of universal testing. The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education sent an official letter instructing schools to apply for the academic achievement voluntary assessment as 'mandatory,' and the Gangwon Provincial Office of Education plans to conduct the 'Gangwon Student Growth Diagnostic Assessment' at the end of November. These policies by local education offices have sparked strong opposition from progressive teachers' organizations.

The national-level academic achievement assessment was conducted by sampling during the Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun administrations (1998?2007), then switched to universal assessment during the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations (2008?2016), earning the nickname 'nationwide test.' Due to the significant side effects of ranking schools, it was reverted to a 3% sampling evaluation under the Moon Jae-in administration in 2017. President Yoon had also pledged during his presidential campaign to implement universal academic assessments for elementary, middle, and high schools.

The education sector is concerned that the remarks about universal assessment could lead to the development of a competitive education system. The civic group Education Concern Without Private Tutoring stated, "The president's perception of education lacks awareness of the pain caused by competitive education," and criticized, "It is shocking to hear the president say things like 'universal survey' and 'don't hide behind criticism of ranking,' which could encourage ranking contrary to the ministry's policy direction."

The Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations said, "More important than evaluation and diagnosis is tailored learning guidance based on the results," and added, "We need to establish fundamental classroom environments and working conditions that allow teachers to devote themselves passionately to student education."

The Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union stated, "In situations where some local education offices are forcing universal assessments, autonomy is only nominal. The nomination of former Minister Lee Joo-ho, who enforced nationwide tests and publicized scores, pushing schools into ranking-based competitive education, has increased concerns in the field," and warned, "If academic achievement assessments are expanded, it is obvious that problem-solving classes centered on knowledge subjects such as Korean, English, and Math will increase from elementary school, and the diversified curriculum is likely to become standardized around Korean, English, and Math."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.