 International Assessment for
Indian Schools (IAIS) is a set of three written tests for each class level from
3 to 12 to gauge the academic competence and skills of Indian students through
an objective external assessment pitched at global standards. These assessments
help schools and teachers understand the true potential of their students.
The IAIS is the outcome of
extensive research in test construction and assessment conducted by Educational
Testing Centre (ETC), a unit of the University of New South Wales (UNSW). In
bringing these assessments to India, Macmillan India Ltd, a highly reputed
publisher in the country, is making it possible for all Indian students from
varied backgrounds to discover their undetected strengths as well as weaknesses.
2004 IAIS is a set of three
written tests in English, science and mathematics for students of classes 3 to
12. The test construction aims purely at putting into use the higher order
skills of reasoning, analysing, critical thinking and problem solving while
answering the questions. Technology empowered assessment tools used by ETC give
an in-depth, objective analysis of student performance, enabling the schools,
students and teachers to plan and implement remedial teaching, right from the
primary level to help students achieve global standards.
At Rs 115 per test, if taken as
a set of three tests, IAIS is one of the most cost-effective tools to find out
where a student stands, when compared with domestic as well as international
levels of achievement.
How it works
 IAIS, designed by ETC and
customised by Macmillan to make it user-friendly and Indian context-based for
Indian students, comprises tests of 35 to 40 questions each for class levels 3
to 12.
There are approximately 30
multiple-choice questions and five free-response questions, which call on the
students' ability to employ their analytical thinking skills and speed. The
students need to enrol for these tests with Macmillan through their schools. The
tests for 2004 will be conducted on November 3, at the participating schools.
The diagnostic reports which
will be sent to the schools in February 2005 will include a student report, a
school report for each subject with a break-up of question level analysis. This
will throw light on the strengths and weaknesses of a student, besides revealing
to the schools their common areas of strengths and weaknesses.
The principal will also receive
an extremely confidential report on the performance level of the students,
against that of the other schools in percentile representation.
All students will receive a
certificate, with the high scorers and highest scorers getting awards and
felicitations from Macmillan India Ltd. These certificates and score reports are
suitable for inclusion in the student's overall academic record and can be used
by educators for due assistance, award and recognition.
According to Rajiv Beri,
managing director, Macmillan India Ltd, "Macmillan has always been proud to
be associated with furthering the cause of education in India. For the last
century, Macmillan India Ltd has worked towards the interest of school students
in a focused manner and IAIS is a further leap in this direction. I am confident
that this initiative will greatly benefit the students and the parent community,
apart from bringing a global quality perspective to the education system in
India - right from the primary level upwards."
Prof Peter Knapp, director,
ETC, University of New South Wales, states, "It is a fantastic opportunity
for UNSW, one of Australia's most prestigious universities where so many Indian
students come to study and Macmillan India Ltd, the most prestigious educational
publisher in India, to come together to offer this most exciting new educational
resource to Indian schools, teachers, parents and students. ETC sees this as a
great opportunity to work in partnership with Indian schools to provide an
international benchmark in student achievement."
Sanjay Sethi, chief publisher,
Macmillan India Ltd, says, "For over a century, Macmillan India Ltd has
been a trusted companion of Indian students and we believe that IAIS would
further strengthen this bonding. We look forward to the wholehearted
encouragement and support of schools, principals and teachers in this
initiative."
According to Uma Mani, chief
general manager (School Publishing), Macmillan India Ltd, "To be able to
use higher order skills distinguishes a student from the others. IAIS does
exactly this. It shows up the high achievers."
Macmillan India Ltd was
established in 1893 and became a corporate entity on January 19, 1970. The
company's operations span the areas of publishing, information processing and
e-business with a network of 22 showrooms and branches across major cities in
India and sale offices in London and New York. Macmillan is one of the only two
publicly-listed publishing companies and rates among the 200 most valuable
companies in India.
The ETC of UNSW is a prime
provider of quality educational measurement and assessment services in
Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the Pacific region. It has been involved in
educational measurement in Australia since 1967 and is the largest, independent
provider of school assessment in the region.
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