Division of Educational Survey, Research & Assessment

Lead and coordinate all national and state-level surveys on learning outcomes in the State e.g. NAS etc. Conduct, co-ordinate and provide administrative and field support for all policy-research projects through activities such as research instrument/survey design, training and supervision for field data collection, data cleaning, data analysis, etc. Facilitate collaborations with local, national and international universities/institutions on educational research activities in the State Undertake capacity building activities, either directly or in collaboration with national/international agencies and universities, for on-going improvement in research skills of SCERT and DIET faculty Organize seminars and roundtables to discuss the evolving state of evidence in various issues related to school education, especially in context of the particular State. Jharkhand council of educational research and training (JCERT) as an academic wing of the school education department to assist and advise the state government on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education in the state. The JCERT performs the important functions of conducts and promotes educational research, improve educational techniques, practices and research findings, develops curriculum instructional and exemplar materials, methods of teaching, techniques of evaluation, teaching aids etc. Jharkhand council of educational research and training is established and maintained to improve the standard of education in the state. The primary objective of the council is to help through suitable programmes of research, training and extension. The department of Educational Survey and Assessment has to undertake the role of Assessment and Research in the field of school education, preparing various types of assessments at all levels so as to ascertain the learning outcomes in the students based on identified curricular aims and objectives. It also prepares teacher needs assessment (TNA) and arranges training programmes for teachers. It also prepares rubrics for assessment and is responsible for all types of research in the field of assessment. The department also arranges various types of training programmes for preparing quality assessment papers to the faculty members, teachers and DIET faculty members. The major objective of research in JCERT is to promote and coordinate research in areas related to school education, prepare and publish model textbooks, supplementary materials, newsletters, journals and develop educational kits, multimedia digital materials etc. JCERT also supports research programmes of other institutions organizations by providing financial assistance and academic guidance.

Details of establishment of Assessment Cell in SCERT and what kinds of initiatives have been taken after its establishment. Assessment is the process through which we would understand what’s important in our education. The quality of assessments designed and conducted is directly related to the quality of instructional practices within the classroom. The aim of assessment in the culture of our schooling system should shift from one that is summative and primarily test rote memorization skills to one that is more regular and formative, is more competency based, promotes learning an development for our students, and test higher-order skills, such as analysis, critical thinking and conceptual clarity. Assessment cell is going to be a team of highly motivated and skilled professionals who will be specialised in assessment leading systematic assessment reforms within the state. This team of experts would be placed at SCERT. This cell would be responsible for designing and executing multiple assessment interventions. Assessment cell would also develop programs for contextualizing national assessment policies for the state, making Jharkhand a model state in the country with best in-house assessment systems strengthening institutions and stake holders to reach the highest quality of standard education.

1. The key objectives of Assessment cell is to assess, analysis and disseminate the performance of students on a regular basis and design the further intervention to improve the learning outcome.
2. To build the capacity of DIETs department and relevant stake holders to develop high-quality assessment tools and test items to diagnose the learning gaps of students.
3. To develop intervention strategies covering various aspects like improved teacher training, curriculum revisions, school leadership programs, school standards etc. Based on the diagnosis of the learning gaps of the students.
4. To improve the usage of technology in the workflow of the assessment cell and leveraging the data from the assessment.
5. Assessment expert cadre at state level leading all the assessment interventions. ·
6. Assessment expect cadre at 24 district institution(1/DIET, 24 assessment RPs in the state of district level)
7. Tech portal for test items and advanced tech data analysis systems to improve learning outcomes based on data.
8. Establishing a repository of valid and reliable test items.
9. Building capacity of teachers on school based and future ready assessments.
10. Developing a teacher training module for assessments divided into basic, intermediate and advanced level.
11. Improved blueprint for Board classes and holistic test item design processes focusing 21st century skills assessing conceptual understanding.

The NEP recognise the need to evaluate “Higher-Order Thinking” skills such as analysis critical thinking and conceptual clarity, indicating a shift in the focus of assessment by encouraging testing core competencies to reduce academic pressure and the need for coaching classes. It calls for a transformation in assessments in the country by suggesting a well defined assessment architecture that can prove to be effective. Establishing the assessment cell can act as a game changer as it will help the state of Jharkhand offer quality standardized assessment, but also aid in providing regular data for improving quality. In the long term this could help India align with global benchmarks. The assessment cell would work on designing, contextualizing and executing the policies in the state. Deploying a holistic tech integrated tool, developing capabilities of education functionaries and influence national and state level boards and institutions to major and leverage future ready scales is another goal to achieve.

1. Director/Dy Director of SCERT along with the members of the assessment cell would be responsible for steering the direction of the assessment cell.
2. They would build alignment on the goals and work plan of the cell
3. They would need quarterly to review progress.
4. They would provide quality inputs and motivate implementation the assessment cell activities.
5. They would discuss updates on the progression of work, review quality and share feedback