Assessing Kids Beyond Age 10 | Barbados News

A literacy expert is calling for a radical rethink of how we assess young students, arguing that secondary school placement should be based on multi-year progress—not a single snapshot at age 10 or 11. Shawntelle Morgan proposes starting assessments as early as Class 1, around age 7, to build a richer, more accurate picture of each child’s learning journey. While the Ministry of Education Transformation prepares to unveil its new assessment plans, parents are pushing back, citing rushed timelines and lack of testing, even launching a petition with nearly 200 signatures. Morgan acknowledges the concerns but insists the real test lies in the details: she demands evidence-based, data-driven explanations for any new model. Her vision prioritizes timing and continuity—using early, ongoing assessments to spot learning gaps sooner and provide timely support, not just labels. Crucially, she warns any new system must be paired with the resources needed to actually help struggling students. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/83757b648235016d