Let's think about the origin of entrance examination reform

Yamagiwa:For the schools we are gathering today, the biggest concern will be the conduct of the applicant test.Will the quality of high school education really change by including descriptive formulas?

Takeuchi:At a seminar on high school connection, there are only about 50 examinees for descriptive questions that ask the thinking ability of the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University individually.However, it was said that if more than XNUMX people take the center test, the message that the university is looking at writing ability and, by extension, thinking ability will be widely transmitted.It was a scale from my eyes.However, I also wonder if I can measure my thinking ability with a short description.

As for our school, many of our students take individual exams with descriptive formulas, so even if the center exam remains the same, there is no difference.However, since about 60% of the faculties of national universities do not impose any of national language, essays, or general problems, it is clear that we would like to introduce them from the standpoint of looking at the whole.

Yamagiwa:As you say, of the 50 center test takers, about 10 enroll in national universities.Other than that, it goes to public and private universities, so it is meaningless if the descriptive formula is not adopted by the private university.Also, if the descriptive formula is scored by the university side, it will not be adopted except for some private universities because it will not be in time for the judgment of the general entrance examination of private universities.I have a sense of crisis that the impact on students aiming for a private university, which occupies the majority, will be limited if nothing is done.

Sugiyama:Students aiming for the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University are training their essay skills to some extent.After all, it is the private university entrance exams that must be considered.There are also variations in academic ability.How will it have an impact?As I said, it is possible that it will not be used, so I think it will have an impact on high schools if individual entrance exams, especially universities with many high-ranking students and applicants, change it.

Suzuki:I'm always skeptical because I don't think private school works so easily.In that case, for students aiming for the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University, there is virtually no change, so in the end nothing will change.

Yamagiwa:On the contrary, is there a different way to change the quality of high school education than admissions reform?Or is there no need for it in the first place?

Suzuki:No, I need to change it.

Yamagiwa:Universities also need to change the quality of education.The point of this reform is the shift from the learning principle to the learning principle, which is moving toward the proper acquisition of abilities rather than the acquisition of credits. Create a GPA system to make your grades portable and increase mobility between universities.What kind of ability did you acquire, not what kind of credit you took?This is also essential for re-learning.

We introduced a CAP system to prevent taking too many credits.There is also a reflection that taking lessons unplanned and taking credits does not lead to improvement in ability.According to statistics, the higher the grade, the smaller the number of students attending.This is because the lectures are carefully selected to improve their abilities.Students with poor grades take a lot of classes and lose more than half of them, and experience frustration.That's why there is course guidance, and Kyoto University is also starting to reform classes.

In high school, the principal has the authority to qualify students for graduation.However, the standards for graduation qualifications have not been agreed between high schools, and the lack of certain standards may be one of the factors that encourage this reform.Please tell us if there are any positive efforts on the part of the high school in this regard.

Ohno:The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has introduced academic ability standards and is working on quality assurance.One thing I can think of about the descriptive formula is to have it written thoroughly in the regular test.There are challenges when it comes to imposing on entrance exams, but if you train in the school, it will be a plus and not a minus.

Yamagiwa:Thank you very much.The designated national university corporation system will start in April next year, although it is a little off topic.Universities that raise their hands are supposed to set benchmarks abroad.It doesn't have to be one, but the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology envisions an American university.It's about increasing your own money in a business-like way.Looking at German universities, tuition is free, giving all young people the right to take classes, and the mobility of students is high.There is a distinction between vocational colleges and colleges, and college students go to graduate school.Although the scholarship system is substantial, it is quite different from American universities, which are mainly private and have high tuition fees.

When thinking about where Japanese universities should aim, I also need to ask high school teachers what kind of people they want their students to be and how they are educating. I think there is.The same applies to entrance examination reform.The university expects to improve the quality of high school education, but it is necessary to better understand the ideas of high school students and high school teachers, including what kind of ability students can be sent.Until now, they were separated by entrance exams, but from now on, I think we need to deepen our dialogue and receive the baton from high school.

Morikami:Thank you to everyone for today.