A Gender Review in Education, Turkey 2003 (9)

Learning Outcomes

Two schoolgirls in Turkey’s capital, Ankara

The Ministry of National Education (MONE) expects all students in basic education to be individuals who can work in teams efficiently.
Photograph by Rana Mullan © UNICEF Turkey 2003

Nationally Defined Learning Outcomes

Are there nationally defined learning outcomes for literacy?

Yes -- the main aim of the Turkish education system is defined as raising highly skilled, productive and creative individuals, ready for the information age, and committed to Atatürk’s reforms and democratic values. They are to be equipped with advanced thinking, perception and problem solving skills, enabling them to interpret different cultures and contribute to contemporary civilisation as well as mastering their own national culture. Furthermore, sense of personal responsibility and open-mindedness should be ensured.
Ministry of National Education (MONE), National Education at the Beginning of 2002

Are there nationally defined learning outcomes for numeracy?

Yes -- as a part of ‘functional literacy’ every individual is expected to be able to use basic numerical skills.

Are there nationally defined learning outcomes in life-skills based education?

Yes -- MONE expects all students in basic education to be individuals who can work in teams efficiently, make decisions, are aware of themselves and their responsibilities, who are respectful to nature, and who are life-long learners.
MONE, RPC 1997.

Provide details of standard assessment procedures for all nationally defined learning areas.

Local and national grade-level academic achievement tests for grades 4 upwards are administered at primary and secondary school levels. MONE became a member of the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA) in 1998 and the Third International Mathematics and Science Study Repeat (TIMSS-R) for 8th graders; Progress in the International Reading Literacy Study (for 4th graders) has been made. As a member of the OECD, Turkey also takes part in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) for 9th graders.
MONE Educational Research and Improvement Department (EARGED), 2003.

How often are learning outcomes measured? At what level, and how are results analysed?

Learning outcomes are measured on a course basis, where the absorption and utilisation of the information presented by the teacher and/or produced by the student is assessed by means of periodic written and oral tests as well as group and/or individual projects and/or homework.

Is there an expectation of positive learning outcomes by children?

No -- data on children’s expectations is not systematically collected. However, it is difficult to claim that the majority of children have positive learning outcome expectations.

Continue to the tenth part of A Gender Review in Education, Turkey 2003, Analysis of Results.

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