IMPACT OF EFFECTIVE EVALUATION OF STUDENTS ON THEIR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT IN SELECTED SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS IN ASSIN NORTH MUNICIPAL IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

The general objective of the study is to critically examine the evaluation practices employed by teachers and their impact on students.   The study type is a case study, undertaken within the Assin North Municipal in three senior high schools in the Central Region of Ghana.   Using a purposive sampling method, I selected six English teachers and 100 students for the study.  The result accruing from the investigative study conducted by the researchers revealed that most of the teachers are adept and highly competent in their profession using appropriate evaluation techniques such as objective questions, group assignment, and provision of ample feedback for students and evaluation of students’ understanding more than three times in a term.  The study also revealed that most of the students are well informed to make English their career path, possess the basic knowledge and communicative skills.  The investigative study also indicated that teachers assess students on various fronts, such as the objective of the lesson, profile dimensions of the English syllabus, and what WAEC often uses for assessment.  These approaches employed by the selected teachers had a positive impact on students so that there was an improvement in their performance in English.  Without a doubt, the study shows that students’ academic performance improved due to the teachers’ approach to evaluation practices as influenced by the supervisor in those selected schools.  Approach to evaluation, as shown by the findings of the study, was proactive, result-oriented, and didactic.  However, there is room for improvement on the part of the teachers, it is recommended that teachers should strive to furnish students with feedback on time and provide ample comments on students’ papers so as to facilitate understanding of core issues in the English language so as to ensure the continued development of the students in communicating effectively in the king of languages – English.