An Introduction to Cambridge International Examinations

Board Examination System

Sherry Reach

Regional Manager, Americas

Cambridge Assessment

• We are Europe’s largest assessment agency and our tests are underpinned by our substantial research program

• We are at the heart of a global learning community including more than 9000 schools

• We work in partnership with educators worldwide, including 25 national governments, and the NCEE MOWR project

• A department of the University of Cambridge

Where we operate

The worlds largest provider of 14-19 International Qualifications

Over 9,000 schoolsin 150 countries

Over 2 million entries per year

Progressive and flexibleFour stages leading from primary through secondary andpre-university years.

Offer the full Cambridge International Education, or focus onspecific stages.

Compatible with other curricula – schools can build a curriculum that reflects their own values.

Each stage builds on learners’ development in the previous stage.

Comprehensive support

The learner is at the heart of what we do

Assessment

Teaching Curriculum

Promoting good practice

in teaching and learning

Offering choice within a flexible, relevant curriculum framework

Setting international standards in assessment

Developing successful studentsStudents build:

• knowledge

• learning skills• critical

thinking skills• problem

solving skills

Cambridge students become independent learners

Building skills

• Knowledge - of scientific facts, laws, vocabulary, concepts

• Learning skills - English - articulating ideas clearly and accurately in writing and speaking

• Critical thinking – Science - interpret experimental observations and data / Analyze historical events and themes

• Problem-solving - apply mathematical knowledge in the context of everyday situations

The subject syllabus is where it begins... • Aims• Assessment Objectives• Description of assessment components• Curriculum content

– Including detailed summary of what candidates should know, understand and be able to do

• Grade descriptions• Resource list, including texts and much more

Assessment Objectives for Cambridge IGCSE Biology

• Knowledge with understanding • (50%) – not more than 25% recall

• Handling information and problem-solving• (30%)

• Experimental skills and investigation• (20%)

Examinations include

• Questions that– Require knowledge– Gradually remove scaffolding– Require the application of knowledge in

unfamiliar contexts– Encourage connections to be made between

topic areas or concepts

Recallingknowledge

Abstracting appropriate knowledge

Applying knowledge in a novel context

Suits a wide range of abilities

Core level: all students

Extended level: more able students

Coursework : adapt for local context

One-year or two-year course

FRESHMAN YEAR CAMBRIDGE SOPHOMORE YEAR CAMBRIDGESemester 1 Semester 2 Semester 1 Semester 2

Mathematics - includes Algebra and Geom. Mathematics (con't) - includes Algebra and Geometry

Coordinated Science - includes Bio., Chem., and Physics

(will have 2 choices for scoring labs: “Coursework” which is a lab designed by a coursework accredited

teacher and Cambridge approved OR a lab done under test conditions on a date set by Cambridge)

ORBiology (same lab scoring choices)

Coordinated Science (con't)OR

ChemistryOR

Physics

English First Language or English as a Second Language

English Literature

History (“World”) History (American)

Art and Design (either 2D, 3D or other option)OR

Drama OR MusicOR CTE elective

Note: These are all one-year courses and could be taken in freshman or sophomore year

Art and Design (either 2D, 3D or other option)OR

Drama OR MusicOR CTE elective

Note: These are all one-year courses and could be taken in freshman or sophomore year

Foreign Language or Economics orGlobal Perspectives or Computer Studies or other

local / Cambridge elective (e.g. Cambridge agriculture or travel & tourism)

Foreign Language or Economics orGlobal Perspectives or Computer Studies or other

local / Cambridge elective (e.g. Cambridge agriculture, or travel & tourism)

What is Cambridge Checkpoint?

• Cambridge Checkpoint is a diagnostic test for students about to enter the Lower Division available in May and October

• The test provides feedback on a student’s strengths and weaknesses in key curriculum areas.

• End of 8th grade Checkpoint tests are available in:

– English– Mathematics– Science

What is Cambridge Secondary1?

• Identifies desired learning outcomes for each middle school year

• A suggested scope and sequence, unit lesson plans and textbooks available for each year of study

• A progression test for each subject at the end of each school year

• Progression tests are available in:– English

– Mathematics

– Science

Excellent foundation Schools use Cambridge lower division to prepare students for:

• Cambridge upper divisionand the AICE Diploma

• IB Diploma

• Advanced Placement

• College and careers

AICE Group A - Mathematics and Sciences

• Biology

• Chemistry

• Computing

• Design & Technology

• Environmental Management

• Marine Science

• Mathematics & Further Mathematics

• Physical Science

• Physics

• Psychology

• Thinking Skills

AICE Group B - Languages

• First Languages:

English

Spanish

• Foreign Languages:

Arabic

French

German

Mandarin Chinese

Spanish

AICE Group C - Arts and Humanities• Art & Design• Business Studies• Classical Studies• Economics• General Paper• Geography• Global Perspectives• History (Euro, US & Int’l)• Literature in English• Literature in Spanish• Music• Psychology/ Sociology• Thinking Skills• Travel & Tourism

Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE)

• An advanced academic diploma for students who are studying Cambridge International A and AS Levels

• Offers students the opportunity to tailor their studies to individual interests, abilities and future plans

• Combines breadth of study with choice and flexibility • Involves the selection of subjects from three curriculum

areas:– Mathematics and Science– Languages– Arts and Humanities

Teacher Support• Teacher Support Website

– Unit lesson plans

– Standards booklets

– Past exams / answers

• Teacher Training:

– Online

– Distance for Coursework

– Face to Face

• Endorsed Textbooks

Benefits of the Cambridge Continuum• Develops oral, practical and thinking skills, as well as the acquisition of

knowledge

• Emphasis on the application of skills, knowledge, and understanding

• The use of initiative and creativity in solving problems

• An investigative approach to learning

• Encourages students to undertake individual projects and to work as part of a team

• Promotes international understanding

Ideal Target Date Deliverable

By early November Send Cambridge completed BES School Application Form . Board Examination Systems Pilot Commitment Letter Submission to NCEE Center for the Future of Arizona Commitment Letter Submission to CFA

November 14 (deadline) • Register teachers for Winter Session intro level online training for English, Math, Science, History course accessible 5 Dec – 1 March 2012. School must be registered with Cambridge to participate in this training.

November -January • Cambridge School Orientation Workshop: Introductory training for administrators and Cambridge teacher support overview presentation for teachers

December 5 –March 1 • Winter Session Introductory On-Line Cambridge Teacher Training courses

February 14 (deadline) Register teachers for Spring Session intro level online training for English, Math, Science, History course accessible 5 March – 1 June 2012. School must be registered with Cambridge to participate in this training.

March 5 – June 1 Spring Session Introductory On-Line Cambridge Teacher Training courses

Late April Face to Face Teacher Training Three Day Conference in Arizona

Getting Started with Cambridge

Cambridge Lower Division Implementation Cost Estimates

$ 750 Cambridge Orientation Workshop (conducted on school site)

$1100 pp Yr 1 Teacher PD – coursework accreditation training 9th grade teachers (c. $50 pp), online intro course ($50 pp), face to face (c. $1000 pp includes sub / travel) for grade 9 teachers

$165 pp Yr 1 Student Exam fees / mailing $55 pp per 9th grade subject (English Lang., World History, Biology)

$1100 pp Yr 2 Teacher PD –online intermediate course ($200 pp), best practices training (c. $125 pp includes sub / travel)

$275 pp(includes Fine Arts)

Yr 2 Student Exam fees / mailing $55 pp for 10th grade Eng Lit, US History, Chemistry or Physics, Math, Fine Arts (or local CTE)

$ 5460 Year 2 Cambridge School Annual Registration Fee (waived 1st year.) Due October of year 2 if annual spending on exams / training fees does not exceed $11,500.

Additional information

CIE website

www.cie.org.uk/cambridgebes

Thank you – Questions?