External Independent Testing (EIT) in Ukraine will be Held Despite the Ukrainian Parliament Not Ratifying the Appropriate Law

Tuesday, 2 March 2010

Yevdokiya TYUTYUNNYK 

 “External independent testing (EIT) in Ukraine will be held despite the Ukrainian Parliament not ratifying the appropriate law.  From time to time one hears rumors among the citizens that testing will be cancelled,” the Director of the Kharkiv Regional Center for Educational Quality Assessment, Oleksandr Sydorenko reassured Chernihiv graduates, their parents and representatives of the mass media. 

 In the overfilled assembly hall of the City Administration of Education, there was a relatively boisterous discussion on this matter. 

 Firstly, eleventh graders were shocked that the number of anticipated Test Sites had been reduced:

“On the regional map there should be four points to which hopeful freshmen should get to independently as this year government structures are not obligated to provide transportation to test sites for EIT participants.  If you want to—go; if you don’t—don’t.  This is normal because we are not talking about children, but about adults, who have received their certificate of maturity.” 

 When those present in the hall began discussing the great distances between settlements, and the imperfection of the transportation system and various different situations that can interfere with getting to the test site on time, Oleksandr Sydorenko announced that the idea of a make-up session is still being discussed.

 Judging from everything, many school children will have to grow up quickly—literally on the night of their graduation—and be tested not only scholastically but also their ability to overcome obstacles.  Obstacles they will need to overcome include the roads, the busses, finding a way to access the internet, and a way to print their grades from their personal web page on the Ukrainian Center for Educational Quality Assessment (UCEQA) site.  This year state funds will not pay for printing EIT certificates. 

Regarding complaints about the content of test assignments—Oleksandr Sydorenko believes that they exist and will continue to exist because perfect tests don’t exist.  But, for graduates who have learned the school program well, things turn out well. 

Those who want to get good test scores should systematize their knowledge, concentrate on the selected subjects and not give in to self doubt, created by booksellers who swamp retail counters with unnecessary fear inspiring literature.   “Two weeks ago we tested literature that we bought on the Kharkiv bazaar marked: “recommended,” “supported,” and others.  I am telling you that none of these manuals are useable.  Their pages are filled with inaccuracies, distortions and fabricated information.  On a state level no preparatory literature has been scrutinized and none was distributed—this is strictly someone capitalizing on an opportunity.” 

Those gathered became re-animated and posed questions on the number of HEIs to which a hopeful freshman can apply.  The answer was laconic: 926.  That is, if so desired, an individual can apply to each and every HEI in Ukraine.  However, each HEI accepts an application from a hopeful freshman for only one major.  We are still left with the issue of the privileged, but they can use their privileged status in only one HEI which has the original secondary school transcript.  In all other HEIs, they can apply through the regular application process. 

Governmental Courier March 2, 2010, 2:41am  http://www.ukurier.gov.ua/index.php?articl=1&id=10286