Ideally, schools that register peak performance in KCSE focus on deft management of the candidate class. In this treatise, I suggest a few stupendous strategies worth exploration in Best Academic Practices.
Consolidate Academic Dream Team
It starts with consolidation of an academic dream team, which becomes in charge of the Form Four programme. On teachers’ side, the Form Four academic dream team should include the class co-ordinator, DoS, examination officer, monitoring and evaluation team, disciplinary master or mistress, the ones in charge of motivation, preps and games. On students’ side, the dream team should weld: student examiners, subject champions and leaders of group discussions. They should be trained on how to execute their roles and responsibilities.
Convene Teachers’ Seminar
There should be a seminar for the preceptors teaching Form Four. Some BoM and PA members can be in-attendance. This should happen at the start of the year ahead of the launch of the Form Four programme. Invite a guest speaker to equip the dream team for the sake of sensitising them on thrills and hills ahead. Focus on team building and bonding. Analyse the KCSE results of the previous candidate class. Identify gaps and goofs. See mistakes you can mend. Spell out expectations. Develop the Academic Action Plans (AAPs) and timetables. Do the budgeting bit.
Convene Candidates’ Seminar
Candidates’ academic seminar should bring together the school Principal, Deputy Principal(s), Senior Teachers, DoS, class co-ordinator, Form Four class teachers, subject teachers and Form Four candidates. This seminar should help those in-attendances to set objectives, and come up with expected outcomes, best academic approaches and robust revision programmes. It is in this academic pow-wow where you allot a lot of tasks. It is the best place to set the disciplinary and academic expectations that will serve as the good guide throughout the academic peregrination. Sensitise candidates on specific success factors.
Coin Class Identities
Let there be a collective class identity — name, slogan, scripture: to enhance energy, synergy and strategy. The idea of coining class identities enhances teamwork, unity of purpose and mastermind alliance. The slogan should always imbue them with strength. As the scripture reminds them to put their trust in God. The Head of Institution (HoI) should ensure there is the class banner, which captures: the class target, name, slogan and scripture. It is also important to generate small banners to be shared in classes, and in strategic positions. The launch should be a great event.
Set the Targets
Set school target, recognition target, subject targets, discussion group targets and candidates’ targets. Then, envision on the number of students to scoop straight As, number of students to feature in top 100 in the nation, last grade, possible county or national ranking, and most improved students. Set targets on the number of students to attain the C+ (plus) and above, which will assist them matriculate directly into university. While helping Form Four candidates to set individual targets, abut targets on target projections spelt out the 5-year Strategic Plan (SP) or the students’ Form Three Promotional Exams.
Firstly, analyse data to ascertain glaring gaps. Point out areas that require action. The school target should be the average of the individual target of each student or of Form Four streams. Balance optimism with realism. Let students set their KCSE targets and targets for internal exams. Assist the students develop score cards.
Focus on Timely Syllabus Coverage
Ensure that there is timely completion of syllabus. Complete Form Three syllabus in Form Three, without spill overs into Form Four. If possible, start the Form Four syllabus in Form Three. Let students do a few chapters as holiday assignments. This timely and comely completion of the syllabus is a correct content mastery strategy. Cogent content mastery is key. Therefore, at the tail-end of the programme, candidates should evince high levels of content mastery through reduced blank spaces in exams. They should manifest the ability to score full marks in every question as expected.
Run an Exam System
Identify oodles of examinations to administer across the academic year. The number of complete exams done and revised always influence performance. Develop exam timetables. Administer exams like the Random Assessment Tests (RATs) and Continuous Assessment Tests (RATs) focusing on Form 1 and 2 contents. Serve monthly exams that meet Bloom’s Taxonomy. Let there be exams done by students in groups marked, results released and revised. Let there be inter-class competitions and students’ self-evaluation. Let there be the making of marking schemes, where you issue exams to students to use approved core-course books to come up with appropriate responses. Ensure that candidates revise past KCSE papers and joint exams done by top schools. Focus on remedial teaching. Come up with prophetic exams set by departments, administered internally. Let there be quizzes lifted from problematic topics and those of Table of Specification (ToS) or Test Blueprint (‘a must-come-areas’). Focus on topical evaluations. Engage in joint exams with top schools.
Train Candidates on Art of Exams
Form Four candidates can grasp content, but paucity of exam techniques can lead to poor performance. Therefore, tutors should teach the art of examination through subject-based seminars and remedial lessons. Invite subject experts — to polish pale parts. Infuse the art of exams in lessons and riveting revision programmes. Form Four candidates should study marking schemes. As teachers also study and implement raft of recommendations spelt out in KNEC reports. Art of exams should enshrine emerging trends in setting and marking of KCSE, format of exams, ToS, mistakes students make and penalties therein. Train candidates on how to provide responses in the required breadth and depth. Direct them on how pay homage to the marks allotted and points required. Assist them to know how to interpret questions and how to plot work on paper. Help them see the areas they can score free marks. Help them know how to plot practical work and how to avoid making silly mistakes in exams. Train them on exam integrity so that you will not fall victim of cancellation of KCSE results. Always remember, the means justifies the end, and the end cannot justify the means.
Develop Homestretch Programme
Homestretch Programme can include both Term 3 Academic Action Plan and 90 or 60 Days Academic Challenge that the school shall develop to mark the last lap. For Form Four candidates to finish like champions, with great grace, discipline must prevail. Ubiquity of teachers must be a common denominator. Consistency is key. Stupendous study strategies must take the centre stage. Focus on data-driven decision-making.
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Therefore, every week, let the academic teams carry out data collection in order to ascertain academic standing of the class. Rate the success of the programmes. Re-do the ability grouping. Inform new instructional approaches. Identify glaring weaknesses inherent in students. Guide students on how to do personal academic SWOT analyses. Help them manage stress and mitigate tension that tightens towards the end. Candidates must know that they should practise and prepare more. 90% goes into preparation, and 10 per cent goes into waging and winning wars. When they sweat more during training, they will bleed less during war.
The writer rolls out academic talks and training services. He trains principals and teachers on Best Academic Practices. vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232
