Department of Education examinations in the schools of the Canadian provinces

Abstract

Most Canadian provinces, ever since the organization of provincial educational systems, have conducted promotion examinations, generally known as departmental examinations, at various levels from grade VII to senior matriculation. The examination policies of the various provinces have always differed considerably. In each province examining techniques have changed under the influence of research, shifting public opinion and varied provincial leadership. Some provinces have progressed greatly in one phase of examination procedure while others have lagged in that phase and perhaps progressed in some other one. Each department of education is trying to improve its examination system and can benefit from the experience of others if information on what other provinces are doing in the field of examinations is readily available. However, until now, no attempt has been made to record the procedures or to compare the techniques used in the various provinces. This the present study proposes to do.