Norway

Monitoring Student Progress in Mathematics and Science

At the end of their compulsory schooling (Grade 10), students receive one overall achievement grade in each subject, determined by their teachers. In addition, students are selected to sit for one written examination. Approximately one-third of students are selected to sit for an examination in mathematics, one-third for an examination in Norwegian, and one-third for an examination in English. These written examinations are prepared and graded at the national level. Students also may be selected for an oral examination that is prepared and graded locally, for which science and mathematics are among certain eligible subjects.

Norway administers national tests in numeracy, reading, and English early in Grades 5, 8, and 9. These tests are constructed and organized at the national level. The national tests are scored locally by students’ subject teachers. Since 2014, the design of the national tests has allowed for trend analysis.

Even though grades are not given until lower secondary school, teachers write local tests to monitor student progress in earlier grades as well. Lower secondary school teachers might use suggested tests found in commercial textbooks.

Teachers at all grade levels (1 to 10) regularly write individual progress reports for their students, and students together with their parents are summoned for meetings in school at least twice each school year.