More than double the 45,000 people last year
Checking cross-curricular basic competencies, not just subject-centered
This year, the diagnostic test to assess the basic literacy and numeracy skills of Seoul students will be expanded to more than twice the scale of last year.
The Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced on the 24th that it will support the 'Seoul Student Literacy and Numeracy Diagnostic Test' to be taken by 500 schools and approximately 100,000 students this year, aiming to ensure basic academic skills and foster future competencies among Seoul students. The diagnostic test will be conducted from November 4 to 7. Considering school schedules, it will be autonomously administered by grade or class.
The Seoul Student Literacy and Numeracy Diagnostic Test is a tool developed by the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education with the support of the Seoul Metropolitan Council, first implemented nationwide last year in response to concerns about declining basic academic skills among students after COVID-19. It is a cross-curricular diagnostic tool that assesses literacy and numeracy, which are foundational skills for learning various subjects, and differs from existing basic academic diagnostic tools that are based on specific subjects, according to the Office of Education.
Since the diagnostic test was first conducted last year, parents and teachers have shown positive responses. In a satisfaction survey on the diagnostic test, 74% of parents and 76% of teachers responded positively when asked whether they thought the test accurately diagnosed their children's basic literacy and numeracy skills. The Metropolitan Council approved a budget of 1.5 billion KRW this year, expanding the number of test participants to more than twice last year's 210 schools and 45,000 students across elementary, middle, and high schools.
Accordingly, the Office of Education will hold an explanatory session on the diagnostic test over two days, from the 24th to the 25th, at the Wangsimni Dinoche Convention Center for about 600 teachers and educational professionals from elementary and middle schools participating in the test or interested in it. Experts will give special lectures aimed at enhancing understanding of literacy and the diagnostic test, and provide guidance on how to administer the test. Additionally, online training will be conducted on October 28 and 29 for school staff responsible for the test administration.
Cho Hee-yeon, Superintendent of the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, stated, "We expect to enhance the future competencies of Seoul students through continuous diagnosis and information provision on their literacy and numeracy skills, as well as strengthening teacher capabilities."
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