Proposed Framework for Educational Assessment in the State of Palestine in Light of the Experiences of Selected Countries

Abstract

This study aimed to develop a proposed framework for enhancing the educational assessment system in the State of Palestine considering selected international experiences. The study addresses the challenges facing the Palestinian educational system amid ongoing technological, social, and political transformations. The research problem arises from the predominance of traditional assessment practices in Palestine, which primarily focus on measuring cognitive achievement through high-stakes final examinations, with limited attention to higher-order thinking skills and students’ socio-emotional development.

The study employed a descriptive-analytical approach. It analyzed the current status of educational assessment in Palestine based on relevant literature and previous studies and conducted a comparative review of assessment practices in France, Japan, and Finland to identify effective models that could inform reform efforts within the Palestinian context.

The findings revealed the need for a clear national vision for educational assessment, weak alignment between educational inputs, processes, and outputs, and the continued dominance of summative examinations. The study also identified limited implementation of continuous and alternative assessment strategies. Furthermore, the results emphasized the importance of teacher professional development in modern assessment methods and the integration of psychological and socio-emotional dimensions into evaluation processes, particularly in light of the unique circumstances faced by Palestinian students.

The proposed framework advocates for a comprehensive, continuous, and developmental assessment approach, the development of periodic national standardized assessments, and the activation of alternative assessment tools such as projects and observational methods, aiming to improve educational outcomes and support broader educational reform in Palestine.