If only the eleven plus was an easy examination. We all hope
that the questions that are asked are relevant and valid. After all parents buy
a pack of papers and then wonder if the questions in the examination are actually
going to be similar. But there is one little niggle in the minds of some
parents – does the eleven plus examination actually select all the children who
deserve a place?
The eleven plus may possibly, at times, select the wrong candidates
– and reject the worthy ones.
Suppose that 50% of eleven plus candidates were suitable for
a grammar school education. An ideal test would give the following results:
|
|
Eleven
Plus Success
|
Eleven
Plus Failure
|
|
|
High
|
50
|
0
|
50
|
|
Low
|
0
|
50
|
50
|
|
|
50
|
50
|
100
|
All those scoring high on the test would be deserving of a
grammar school place.
None of the children scoring low would enjoy the benefits of
a grammar school education.
If the selection ratio is only 1 in 10 then far fewer
children would be able to pass the examination – and be successful.
|
|
Eleven
Plus Success
|
Eleven
Plus Failure
|
|
|
High
|
10
|
0
|
10
|
|
Low
|
0
|
90
|
90
|
|
|
10
|
90
|
100
|
It is easy to see how the cut off level must affect the chances
of some worthy children. If the cut off rises to 33% then the chances of the test
picking only the `perfect’ candidates can be lowered.
|
|
Eleven
Plus Success
|
Eleven
Plus Failure
|
|
|
High
|
33
|
17
|
50
|
|
Low
|
17
|
33
|
50
|
|
|
50
|
50
|
100
|
There is, however, one major caveat that needs to be
considered. Very few parents are completely unrealistic about the child’s
chances of passing the eleven plus. Children contemplating sitting eleven plus
examinations are a remarkably select group. The parents of children sitting
eleven plus examinations must therefore also be a remarkably select group.
