The Polish Ministry of Education plans to introduce a functional assessment method to support inclusive education in schools, which will focus on understanding students' needs rather than replacing traditional grading.
The Polish Ministry of Education, known as MEN, has announced a new initiative to implement functional assessments in schools over the coming months. The purpose of this assessment is not to replace traditional grading but to provide an additional means of supporting the educational process, helping to better understand the needs and abilities of students. MEN has made it clear that functional assessments will not serve as a substitute for current grading practices and will focus on offering support to students rather than classifying them.
This new approach is intended to complement the existing school evaluation methods, with functional assessments emphasizing a comprehensive understanding of students' functioning across various areas. In contrast, traditional assessments are primarily concerned with educational outcomes. The change reflects a broader trend within education policy aimed at fostering inclusivity and recognizing the individual needs of learners.
In light of this development, Magdalena Filipek-Sobczak has raised a parliamentary interpellation addressing the introduction of mandatory functional assessments for students, signaling a push for more conversations and perhaps legislation regarding how these assessments will be integrated into the educational framework in Poland.
