Monitoring Student Progress in Mathematics and Science
Sweden monitors and assesses students in compulsory school through a system of national tests, diagnostic materials, and written reports with individual development plans and grades. Designed by the National Agency for Education, the national tests provide support for teachers in monitoring student progress according to the curriculum and syllabus. The tests also provide support for teachers in assigning grades and applying the curriculum and syllabus. National tests are provided for students in Grade 3 in the subjects of Swedish, Swedish as a second language, and mathematics; in Grade 6 in the subjects of Swedish, Swedish as a second language, mathematics, and English; and in Grade 9 in the subjects of Swedish, Swedish as a second language, mathematics, English, one of the three science subjects (biology, physics, or chemistry), and one of the four social science subjects (civics, history, religion, or geography).25
The National Agency for Education also provides diagnostic materials, tests, and individual test items that are intended to highlight individual student strengths and weaknesses, help teachers monitor student progress, and make impartial judgments.
Local schools decide how to assess progress further in different subjects. At least once a semester, students and their parents receive progress reports and meet with teachers to discuss student progress and how learning can be stimulated and supported (development dialogues). Progress reports are regulated by law. Parent-teacher meetings on student progress serve as a substitute for annual progress reports and grading until Grade 6, and continue throughout compulsory school.26
Grade promotion in compulsory school is automatic, and students are not required to pass examinations at any point before being promoted to the next level. Grades are awarded after every semester from the sixth year of compulsory school onward and reflect student abilities relative to national goals and grading criteria stated in the syllabus for each subject. As of 2011, grades are given on a five-grade scale: A, B, C, D, and E, where E is a passing grade and A is the highest grade. If students fail in a subject they receive a grade of F. The five grades are related to national criteria (knowledge requirements) established by the Swedish National Agency for Education.27