PARAKH

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Context: According to the CEO of Educational Testing Service (ETS), India's first national assessment regulator ‘PARAKH’ would bring about the much-needed uniformity in assessment across the nation.

Background

• The Union government announced to release of a “benchmark framework” to evaluate students' performance at the secondary and higher secondary level.
• The main objective of the framework is to ensure “uniformity” across the state and central boards which presently follow different criteria for evaluation.
• The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) discussed the “common assessment framework” with the representatives of state boards and State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs).
  • They suggested setting up a new assessment regulator ‘PARAKH’.

About PARAKH

• As part of the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020, PARAKH has been established. The NEP-2020 suggested the establishment of a standard-setting body to provide guidance to school boards on new assessment practices and to encourage collaborations between them.
• It will function as a component of the NCERT. It will also be responsible for conducting recurring learning outcome assessments like the National Achievement Survey (NAS) and State Achievement Surveys.
• It will focus on three main assessment areas: extensive assessments, school-based assessments, and examination improvements.
• It will establish norms, standards and guidelines for assessment and evaluation for all recognized school boards in India. The benchmark assessment framework will end the stress on rote learning.
• The government is expecting that PARAKH will conduct the National Achievement Survey (NAS) in 2024.

Objectives of PARAKH

• Setting norms, criteria, and procedures for student assessment and evaluation for all recognized educational boards across India.
• Promote and support school boards in changing their assessment practices reflecting the 21st-century skill standards.
• To bring uniformity across the state and central boards, which currently use different standards of evaluation and produce significant score differences.

Significance of PARAKH

• It will act as a body that establishes standards for student evaluation and assessment throughout all school boards across India.
• It will address differences in student test scores among boards.
• It will perform National Achievement Surveys (NAS) on learning outcomes, evaluate all components of the planning and execution of the NAS activities, and highlight areas that require improvement.
• It will manage India's participation in international tests like the PISA, or the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS).

Conclusion: PARAKH will develop and implement the standards for test design, administration, scoring, and reporting at all levels of academic study. It is a gradual turn towards a more scientific method of teaching. The recommended structure will assist in adapting the child's abilities, including phases of mental development and social and physical awareness.

https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/parakh-to-bring-uniformity-in-assessment-across-boards-in-india-ets-ceo-123022600470_1.html