PEP Up!

AMID the firestorm which the introduction of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) assessment has stoked, some educators across the island are standing up in support of the approach, arguing that the skills taught are what Jamaica needs to effectively and successfully compete on the world stage. In an exclusive interview with the Jamaica Observer yesterday, the group […]

Road to PEP – Developing Critical Thinking

Of the four C’s that PEP students must demonstrate in order to excel – creativity, communication, critical thinking, collaboration – I like to think of critical thinking as the leader of the pack; we can’t learn well without thinking well. Critical thinking is the process of analysing, synthesising, conceptualising, applying, and/or evaluating information from various […]

Road to PEP – Mastering Communication

Mastery in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) is reflected in a student’s ability to not only apply content knowledge in mathematics, social studies, English language and science but to demonstrate proficiency the 4C’s creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking. In this article we will be focusing on communication. Communication is imparting and transferring knowledge and […]

Road to PEP – Harnessing Creativity

Mastery in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) is reflected in a student’s ability to apply content knowledge, skills and abilities outlined in the National Standards Curriculum (NSC). The expected student outcomes in the NSC are grounded in the mastery of the 4 C’s — Creativity, Communication, Collaboration and Critical Thinking. Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/art-leisure/20180408/road-pep-harnessing-creativity

Let’s Have a PEP Talk!

There has been confusion among some educators, parents and students surrounding expectations for the National Standards Curriculum (NSC) and the exam slated to replace the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) in 2019 – the Primary Exit Profile (PEP). The confusion stems from a misunderstanding of the concept of 21st century teaching, learning and skill development. […]

Combating pre-GSAT Disorder Part 2

As the last set of students prepare to sit the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) in 2018, parents must acknowledge and guard against GSAT Disorder — consciously or subconsciously measuring their child’s value based on a school placement. Last week (Wednesday, August 16, 2017), we discussed the number one cause for the pressure built along the […]

Combating pre-GSAT Disorder Part 1

Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) Disorder is a combination of physiological over-arousal, tension and somatic symptoms, along with worry, dread, and fear of failure. And sometimes that all leads to catastrophising — children predicting a negative outcome and parents jumping to the conclusion that if there is a negative outcome, it would be a catastrophe. […]