A constructive criticism of and recommendation for NCAE

(Part 2 of a series on How Sec. Lapus prepares HS students for economic independence)

I agree with Education Secretary Jesli Lapus that the National Career Assessment Examination (NCAE) should be given to high school students with the intention of providing significant data to school authorities. This will better guide students with regards to what career options they may take for college. However, there are several concerns, which should be noted with regards to the Career Assessment Exam.

Problems minimized because of the mock test

The mock test for the Career Assessment Exam was held a few days before the actual test was done serving as an orientation for the NCAE Chief Examiners and Proctors. If this was not done, several problems would have affected the smooth flow of the exams.

For example, with regards to the personal data, the students were not allowed to write the letters of his name nor the number of his school ID. He is supposed to shade the corresponding letters and numbers in the answer sheet. Therefore, the proctors needed to write on the blackboards the sample answer to facilitate the filling up of this form. The OB Montessori Center proctors came prepared bringing with them an enlarged copy of this sample sheet pasted on a cartolina. This minimized the time that the proctor would have spent in writing the info on the blackboard.

Because of the mock test, the students realized that they had to adhere to the time limit, otherwise they wouldn’t be able to answer all the questions. The proctors had to remind them not to dwell on a question, if they were not sure of the answer. They can go back to unanswered questions when they still have time left.

One of the proctors assigned to OB Montessori was not briefed beforehand nor did she attend the mock test. This teacher from a small school in San Juan had to be given instructions on the day of the test. She had to write the lengthy sample personal data on the blackboard. It is a saving grace that she was previously a public school teacher. Thus, she was used to the paperwork needed after the exams.

A closer look at the mock test

A closer look at the mock test given to the students revealed that there were several questions that do not seem to be related to the skill or ability it seeks to measure.

Under Manipulative Skills, the following sample questions provide more general information and stock knowledge than Manipulative Skills. It should be appropriately labeled as manual dexterity.

It is the conscious effort in seeking the easiest quickest and simplest way of doing work: a) Work pattern technique; b) Work habits technique; c) Work efficiency technique; d) Work simplification technique

A guide in determining how much nutrient is needed by an individual in a day is: a) RDA; b) Nutritional needs; c) Food needs; d) Nutrient requirements

It is the source of all nutrients and the substance needed by the body to be healthy and strong: a) Food group; b) Food supplement; c) Vitamins; d) Food

A generator is a machine that changes mechanical energy into ______ energy: a) Chemical; b) Artificial; c) Electrical; d) Thermal

For Clerical Ability, the sample questions do not relate to Clerical Skills. Some are rather vague and subjective. In fact, the mock test does not have a single question that measures any clerical ability like "sorting, classifying or alphabetizing" — skills which a clerk ought to possess.

There are many options or wide range of office careers that exist in the labor market, which of the following does not belong to the options: a) Information and message distribution; b) Stenography; c) Business data processing; d) Welding

Office work becomes easy when . . .: a) There is imagination and resourcefulness; b. There is ability to work under pressure; c) There is sound judgment; d) There is an atmosphere of mutual helpfulness and respect

A clean, well groomed and attractive appearance of an office worker reflects: a) Good attitude; b) Patience in work; c) Personal pride in oneself and equally implies pride in one’s work; d) Determination to be promoted to higher positions

We called NETRC for guidance in interpreting the raw score of the Mock Test since several parents have been inquiring how their children fared. We thought that there should be guidelines, but apparently this was not ready yet.

Our Registrar asked, "Did you let our students take the NCAE just for the sake of taking the test?" She was referred to the point person, who replied, "Parang ganoon na nga."

We thought that the NCAE could give an idea to both parents and students how they can determine the students’ inclination to a particular career. It seemed that our students simply practiced how to take a national exam. We hope that the subsequent Career Assessment Exams can be put to better use by giving more concrete ideas for future career guide.

Schedule of test administration

The standardized career guidance services and career assessment tests are provided by most private schools. It is usually given to third year high school students during the second semester or to fourth year high school students during the first quarter of the school year. This is because colleges begin processing applicants for college early in the school year.

University of the Philippines, for instance, releases their application forms in April and testing is done in August. Meantime, Ateneo University makes available application forms in June and testing of the first batch is conducted in September. De La Salle University, on the other hand, processes their applications from July to September and testing is done on October onwards as in the case of most universities and colleges.

Therefore, even before third year high school students enroll for the fourth year level, they would have filled up their college application forms during summer. Then, they would take their entrance exams for college by July till October.

Mr. Elizardo Kasilag’s point, who is an official of FAPSA (Federation of Associates of Private School Administrators), is correct that administering the NCAE to fourth year students on January or even on December, as it was originally scheduled, is rather too late. The NCAE would be better appreciated if it was given to third year high school students during their second semester. This is presuming that the test results will also be made available before the same school year ends so that it can be discussed by the guidance counselors of their respective schools during their career counseling sessions.

Validity and reliability of the NCAE

No information was given to school administrators with regard to the validity and reliability testing done prior to the administration of the Career Assessment Exams to the students. Such exams must undergo validity and reliability testing to make sure that it really measures what it seeks to measure.

It should be part of DepEd NETRC (National Education Testing and Research Center) procedure to conduct pre-tests of the NCAE or whatever standardized exams they may come up with in the future. They should publicize the results and the norms they are using to establish the credibility of their tests. It will be noted that the NEAT and NCEE (National College Entrance Examination), constructed by NETRC, were abolished as they were proven to be ineffective in measuring what they were supposed to measure.

Meantime, senior high school students who got high grades in the NEAT and NCEE were not guaranteed acceptance in private colleges and universities since the latter made use of their own entrance tests.

NETRC should also publish a "table of norm", which represents the test performance of the population. It would indicate if the scores go beyond the average or "normal level" classification. The table of norms is like a thermometer, if you get a reading of 37 degrees Centigrade, it means the temperature is normal. On the other hand, if you get a reading of 39 degrees, that person has a fever. In parallel, if a student gets a raw score of 140 out of 165, this may be converted to 90% meaning he can be classified as high average. Meantime, if he gets a score of 83, this is equivalent to 75%, which is just passing.

This "table of norm" can guide counselors and school administrators in interpreting the NCAE test results. Then, the career counseling of students can become more meaningful and really achieve its goal in helping students identify the most suitable career options for college. Unless it is established that the NCAE is scientifically standardized and proven to be reliable and valid as a tool to measure what it seeks to measure (in this case, aptitude and ability), then it may also end up like the NCEE, NSAT and NEAT.

NCAE for public schools only

While it may be understandable that Sec. Lapus may want to establish a baseline data with regard to the skills and abilities of the high school students relative to their career choice, it might be more practical (budget-wise) to just conduct the test to public school students.

We noted that during the district briefing of private schools, "accredited" schools questioned why they need to undergo such tests when they are considered deregulated and thus are not subject to government exams. Almost all private schools have their own independent career guidance programs, including career assessment exams using standardized tests Several, including OB Montessori, contract private psychological testing centers like Philippine Psychological Corporation, Behavioral Dynamics Inc., and Center of Excellence for Measurement who administer, score and interpret the results to provide IQ, achievement, aptitude, and career guidance.

Thus, we recommend to Sec. Lapus to consider making the National Career Assessment Exams voluntary for private schools, especially to those who do not have their own career assessment tests.

Will the DepEd welcome ‘unsolicited advice’?

The Department of Education is very sensitive to critiques it receives with regards to its pet projects. I hope that they will welcome "unsolicited advices" that will promote stronger cooperation of school teachers with students and parents.

(ERRATA: Ms. Florentina R. Lizano is the Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of Pasig and San Juan, while the Alternative Learning Supervisor is Dr. Teresita Pascual.)

(For more information or reaction, please e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected])