Assessment in the foundation phase

A guide to understanding assessment as a means for ensuring that learners have attained necessary outcomes, and doing it effectively for optimal teaching and learning.
The South African curriculum has experienced many changes since 1994. There was outcomes-based education (also known as Curriculum 2005), then the Revised National Curriculum Statements, followed by the National Curriculum Statements (NCS). In January 2012, Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) were introduced to replace the NCS. All these changes have been confusing to the average teacher, with the assessment of the young learner being particularly challenging. Assessment in the Foundation Phase guides teachers and student teachers towards understanding assessment as a means for ensuring that learners have attained the necessary outcomes, and doing it effectively for optimal teaching and learning.

Assessment in the Foundation Phase sets out recommended techniques and tools to assess learners' knowledge, skills, attitudes and values, and applies these to all subjects prescribed by CAPS. Its goal is to inspire teachers to prepare learners to meet the challenges of future learning through quality assessment and in so doing, support learners in gaining the capacity for lifelong learning. A chapter on e-assessment introduces a useful perspective on this burgeoning field.

Assessment in the Foundation Phase is aimed at teachers and student teachers.

Reda Davin was a senior lecturer and programme manager in BEd (ECD), PGCE (ECD) and Foundation Phase progammes for 31 years. She holds a DEd degree and MDiac in play therapy and is the Head of Department: Foundation Phase Teacher Training at AROS in Pretoria. She is the editor and co-author of four books on early childhood teaching.

Mariana Naude is a lecturer in mathematics for undergraduate student teachers (Foundation Phase) at Aros in Pretoria She is the co-editor of various text books published by Van Schaik Publishers, including Teaching Foundation Phase mathematics: a guide for South African students and teachers and Teaching life skills in the Foundation Phase.