Basic French Assessment: Speaking and Writing Skills, Senior 1 and 4, 1993. Summary Report.

The report summarizes an assessment of the extent to which Manitoba schools are meeting the learning objectives for speaking and writing skills specified for senior (secondary) levels 1 and 4 in the basic French curriculum for the province. For each level and skill area, a random sample of students representing urban and rural school populations was selected. Measurement instruments were developed, piloted, and administered to each subject group in the spring of 1993. Results were analyzed and are presented here in summary form. It is concluded that speaking skills were met satisfactorily at the senior 4 level, but that objectives at other levels in speaking and writing skills were not met. However, despite the poor results, it is felt that the basic French teaching situation in Manitoba has positive aspects that can be emphasized to improve student learning. Specific recommendations are made for administration at the provincial level, for French teachers, to school divisions and principals, to faculties of education, and to students concerning the curriculum, instructional materials, assessment and evaluation, professional development, and the national core French study. (Contains three references.) (MSE)