Abstract
M.Ed.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate Outcomes- Based Assessment in the Intermediate
Phase. Curriculum 2005 is a new education curriculum that is driving the process of education
transformation. It is fundamentally different from the school curriculum of the past which was divided into
discrete subject areas and largely content- based and teacher- driven. One of the major shifts in the new
curriculum is how learners are assessed. Outcomes - Based Assessment therefore is a daunting task and is
not familiar for the majority of the educators in the Intermediate Phase.
This study involved I 0 primary schools in the Richards Bay Circuit. 60 educators from the Intermediate
Phase completed a questionnaire related to Outcomes - Based Assessment. The researcher also used
observation as one of the research instruments in collecting data. 60 educators from the Intermediate Phase
from the I 0 primary schools in the Richards Bay Circuit were closely observed. An observation checklist
was completed by the researcher during class visits of the sampled schools. A close examination of 6
learners' portfolios, 2 from each grade and 6 from each school, together with the schools' Assessment
Policy were evaluated by the researcher through the observation technique. 12 facilitators responsible for
conducting workshops in Outcomes- Based Assessment for the Lower Umfolozi District were personally
interviewed by the researcher.
The researcher sought to evaluate Outcomes - Based Assessment in the Intermediate Phase, to identify
measures as to empower educators to grasp a better understanding and determine areas of need regarding
Outcomes - Based Assessment. The study has evaluated and reviewed the process, structure, design and
implementation of Outcomes -Based Assessment in the Intermediate Phase, with a view to understanding
what needs to be done to improve it, and make it successful. The major findings from the study pointed to
the extent that Outcomes - Based Assessment is not widely understood at the classroom level. OutcomesBased
Assessment definitely needs attention, that is, more clarity and a clear focus. Detailed guidelines
and procedures from Departmental level needs to be instilled. This is the major contributing factor
towards the failure to understand the process of Outcomes - Based Assessment.