A method applied by education specialists from Botoșani county has managed to spectacularly increase the efficiency of students at national evaluation. The promotability increased by 10% and the schools in the rural areas with many students under grade 5 have made spectacular progress.
Students have achieved much better photo photo archive
The “Botoșani method”, applied to all the eighth-grade students, gave spectacular results including in the rural schools where many students did not manage to obtain even the note 5. although in Botosani no average of 10, this year, the results of the medium and weak level students increased. Botosaniul managed to climb a place in the ranking on Moldova and approach the counties with very good results.
“They had to be taken measures”
Botoșani County had a modest rate of promotion of the National Assessment. That is, it had a fairly small percentage of students who managed to get the grade five or over the five note on the exam samples. Especially in the rural area there were schools with many students with grades of 2 and 3. In 2024, for example, it was on the penultimate place in Moldova with 65.3% students over 5 for national evaluation.
The weak results determined those from the County School Inspectorate to seek ways to remedy the situation. After prolonged analysis and consultations, a solution that was applied throughout the school year 2024-2025 was found, which combines traditional methods of the type “Repetition is the mother of teaching”, with modern ones such as educational analyzes and strategies, including follow-up processes. “There were necessarily measures. It was a work of one year, started with an analysis of the last two years in national evaluation and elaboration of a strategy. It was a collective effort, inspectorate, teachers, students,”says Bogdan Suruciuc, general school inspector in Botosani. This is how a variety of “Botosani method”, a unique approach during this period, was born. Apparently, the method is simple.
It was an initial standardized test, with a unique subject, at the level of Botosani county, given by all the eighth students at the beginning of the school year. Then two other simulations of the national evaluation were added, at the county level, in addition to the national one. That is, in total it was about three simulations, two counties and a national one, but also a standard test, also at the county level. “We thought of implementing the following measures in the Botosani education system at the 8th grade level. It is about standardized testing in the eighth grade once at the beginning of the school year. Then two simulation exams followed, at the county level, besides the national level.”adds Bogdan Surciuc.
“He was able to identify the real level of the students”
This method involved countless analyzes, plans and measures. It started methodically with the initial standardized test to find the real level of students. The topics were unique throughout the county, and the tests were not corrected by the teachers in the classroom, but by teachers from all over the county. Precisely to have an objective analysis of the results and the level of training.
“There was an objective evaluation of the level of training of the students. The works were not corrected by the class teacher, but by other teachers. And then the actual level of the children can be identified. Based on the results that have been obtained, a series of weaknesses and strengths could be identified that can be analyzed and from here to take a series of plan and to improve a series of measures”says Mihaela Filip, director of the number 13 Gymnasium School, Botosani. After the initial test, the teachers could see where they had to insist on training the students. The county simulations came as a feedback, which helped the teachers to see if they managed to achieve their goals, where the gaps persist and how to proceed.
“Then we could realize much faster about their weaknesses, the aspects they master well. From one simulation to the other, we could choose the right methods to record real progress.”says the Romanian teacher, Simona Gavril. Each result of testing and simulations meant for teachers feedback, forecasts, measures. “We had a forecast, a feedback of the results and we knew what to do next according to each result of the simulations. But it also required an effort on our part.”says Mihaela Airina, professor of Romanian language and literature.
The ordinary students with the evaluations
This method was of real use especially for students, say teachers. They became familiar with the topics, learned to fit in time and how to approach the exam. Some teachers say it was also a real psychological training for students.
“We can conclude that they were a help in the evolution of children. They helped them to become familiar with the requirements of the exam both the way they are carried out, of the type of subjects that are applied. Children learned to manage their time, learned to manage their stress, because any form of evaluation involves stress. And the child if he is repeatedly put in this situation, he learns how he can approach this stress. Learn to look at the subject’s requirements differently“Adds Mihaela Filip.
“We can say that we have satisfactory results”
After the national assessment this summer it can be said that the “Botosani method” gave amazing results. The percentage of students who obtained over five in the exam samples increased by over 10%. That is, from the 3361 students who participated in the National Assessment in Botosani county, 2533 candidates obtained average higher or equal to 5, resulting in a percentage of 75.4%by 10.1%, higher than the previous year. At the same time, the number of schools with 100% students with grades over 5 has increased spectacularly. Last year there were only three schools with zero students with grades below five, while this year their number increased to 11. Many of them in the rural area, where weak results were recorded year by year.
“Clear is a better place, but it is seen that the measures we introduced this year in the Botosani education system at the eighth grade level. We grew up compared to last 10% and we enjoy first for the students because we could be aware of them. We have 11 units, including from the rural area ”says the general school inspector from Botosani.
Although it did not have any average of 10 for national evaluation, many grades obtained by medium level students increased. Ten students obtained note 10 in one of the evidence, that is two in Romanian language and literature and eight in mathematics.
