PIRLS 2006 Encyclopedia

comprehension. Teachers also have been trained to create an atmosphere that inspiresopen and responsible interaction in their classrooms and to use methods intended topromote critical thinking. This recently established practice of teaching has been directedtowards changing the dominant role of the teachers in classrooms. Organizing lessonsin this manner is meant to help students think in a critical way and become responsiblefor what they learn.Reading DisabilitiesTeachers or psychologists usually identify students who have difficulties in the area ofliteracy in grade 1 through the use of tests for reading speed and accuracy. The assessmentlasts 1 minute, during which the examiner notes both the number and the type of mistakesmade by each student. The results are given to the teachers, who are responsible fordeveloping individualized plans to assist students with their reading difficulties. If thereading difficulties continue, the teacher organizes additional lessons for the studentat least once a week. Unfortunately, there are no reading specialists or material gearedtowards students with special reading needs within schools. If dyslexia is discovered, thestudent works with a specialist in a specialized institution.Teachers and Teacher EducationAccording to the Law for Elementary Education, teachers who have completedthe Pedagogical Academy, a Pedagogical Faculty, or the Institute of Pedagogy at thePhilosophical Faculty may become classroom teachers. However, the PedagogicalAcademy, a 2-year program, was closed 5 years ago, and the Pedagogical Faculties wereestablished to provide 4-year programs. Teachers preparing to teach grades 1 to 4 takecourses in reading and children’s literature. In the third and fourth year of their programs,they have compulsory practice in schools.PIRLS 2006 EncyclopediaExaminations and AssessmentsNational or Regional ExaminationsThe first national assessments of achievement in the Macedonian language, the Albanianlanguage, and mathematics were established at the end of grade 4 in 2001. 6 The goal ofthese assessments is to provide the educational administration and professional institutionswith valid data about student attainments that can be used to inform educational policyand give schools and teachers information to improve teaching and learning.The national assessments are on a repeating 4-year cycle, with one subject assessedeach year. The assessment is administered to representative samples of schools andstudents. In the mother-tongue assessment, student achievement is measured in the areasof grammar, vocabulary, reading informative and literary texts, and written expression.Unfortunately, the Republic of Macedonia still does not have a specialized institution forpreparing diagnostic tests.Republic of MacedoniaTIMSS & PIRLSInternational Study CenterLynch School of Education, Boston College 261