Ferdinand | EducationGhana |  November 08|WAEC Clarifies No Changes to BECE Grading System Amid JHS Curriculum Reforms

“WAEC confirms that the Stanine grading system for the BECE remains unchanged despite Junior High School curriculum updates. Public urged to disregard false claims about a new grading system.”

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has stated that despite recent updates to the Junior High School (JHS) curriculum, the grading system for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) remains unchanged. In an interview, WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, dismissed claims circulating on social media that the Council has introduced a new grading structure for the BECE.

According to Mr. Kapi, the Stanine grading system, which has been in place since the BECE’s inception in 1990, continues to be used for assessing students’ performance. He emphasized that no changes have been made and that WAEC has not released any information related to student pass rates or failures.

Clarification on the Stanine Grading System

Mr. Kapi explained that the Stanine system does not allow for direct year-to-year comparisons of students’ performance. This system categorizes scores into a nine-point scale, with each grade reflecting a range of potential rather than specific marks.

He urged the public to disregard misinformation, noting that any significant revisions to the grading approach would involve stakeholder discussions and be followed by an official public announcement.

“Having a grade 9 is not an indication that the student has failed but rather specifies their potential,” noted a WAEC official during a public forum held to discuss the grading fundamentals.

Addressing Misinformation

Mr. Kapi further cautioned against unofficial statistics and claims falsely attributed to WAEC. “It is misleading for some individuals to share statistics claiming to be from WAEC, as these figures are not officially endorsed by the organization,” he said.

WAEC’s Public Forum

Last year, WAEC organized a public forum in Accra to address misconceptions about the BECE grading system and to clarify that there are no separate marking schemes for public and private schools. The event aimed to reinforce trust and transparency in the Council’s examination processes.

WAEC reassured that any official updates or changes to examination policies, including the grading system, would be clearly communicated to the public. This reaffirmation ensures that students, parents, and educators can focus on preparation without concern over sudden, unannounced adjustments to the assessment structure.

Comprehensive note on the stanine grading system

Here’s a comprehensive overview of the Stanine Grading System as used by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in Ghana:

 Overview of the Stanine Grading System

The Stanine Grading System is a method of scaling test scores on a nine-point standard scale, which helps to categorize the performance of students in a more comprehensive way. The word “Stanine” comes from “standard” and “nine,” indicating a standard scale that ranges from Grade 1 to Grade 9.

Breakdown of Stanine Grades and Mark Ranges

The Stanine grading system ranks candidates’ performances into the following categories:

• Grade 1 (Excellent): This is the highest possible grade, indicating exceptional performance. Typically corresponds to a mark range of 80-100%.
• Grade 2 (Very Good): Represents strong performance with scores around 70-79%.
• Grade 3 (Good): Demonstrates above-average proficiency, with a mark range of 65-69%.
• Grade 4 (High Average): Shows slightly above-average performance, with scores typically ranging from 60-64%.
• Grade 5 (Average): Indicates median-level performance, where marks fall within 55-59%.
• Grade 6 (Low Average): Reflects below-average performance but not failing, with a mark range of 50-54%.
• Grade 7 (Below Average): Denotes a substandard performance, where scores fall between 45-49%.
• Grade 8 (Weak): Indicates a poor performance level, usually corresponding to marks between 40-44%.
• Grade 9 (Very Weak/Fail): This is the lowest grade, denoting a failing performance, often associated with marks below 40%.

How WAEC Uses the Stanine Grading System

WAEC uses the Stanine Grading System to ensure a fair and standardized interpretation of examination results for the BECE. The main purposes include:

• Categorizing Student Performance: The Stanine system helps to differentiate between various levels of academic achievement, making it easier for educators and stakeholders to understand where a student stands compared to their peers.
• Placement into Senior High Schools: In Ghana, BECE results are used for the placement of candidates into senior high schools. The stanine grading provides a quick snapshot of a student’s capabilities and helps schools decide on admission.
• Standardized Assessment: By using a normalized nine-point scale, WAEC ensures that grades are standardized across different examination years, maintaining consistency and fairness in evaluation.

Characteristics of the Stanine System

• Bell Curve Distribution: The system is based on a standard normal distribution (bell curve), where most students’ grades cluster around the middle (Grades 4-6), with fewer students receiving the highest (Grades 1-3) and lowest (Grades 7-9) grades.
• Relative Grading: Unlike an absolute grading system where fixed percentages are assigned to each grade, the Stanine system adjusts to the distribution of scores each year, ensuring that the grading scale reflects the overall performance of all test-takers.

Advantages of the Stanine Grading System

• Simplified Analysis: The nine-point scale makes it easier to summarize and analyze student performance without getting into complex percentages.
• Comparative Assessment: It allows for a comparative assessment of students’ performance across different years and cohorts.
• Fair Representation: By normalizing scores, the system can better represent the overall abilities of students in relation to one another.

 Limitations of the Stanine Grading System

• Less Detailed: The nine-point scale may lack the granularity of percentage scores, leading to a more general overview of performance.
• Dependence on Distribution: Grades are influenced by the overall performance of the candidates, meaning that a particularly strong or weak cohort could shift the grading distribution.

 Practical Example of Stanine Grading for BECE

If a student scores 78% in a subject, they may be assigned a Grade 2 (Very Good), while a score of 50% might result in a Grade 6 (Low Average). The interpretation of these grades helps educators, parents, and students gauge performance and identify areas for improvement.

 Conclusion

The Stanine Grading System used by WAEC for the BECE in Ghana is a standardized method that categorizes students’ scores into nine performance levels. It serves as a tool for fair assessment and placement into senior high schools, ensuring consistency across examination results. While it provides a simplified way to interpret performance, understanding its strengths and limitations can help stakeholders make better-informed decisions regarding student assessments and educational strategies.