The assessment of the technology curriculum in the first stage of secondary education in the Netherlands

In 1993 the first stage of secondary education in The Netherlands was restructured. All pupils of the age of 12 - 15 years old follow a national core curriculum, called Basic Education. Technology is a new subject in this curriculum. The objectives of Technology are divided into three domains: Technology and Society, including technology in daily life, technology manufacturing, vocations in technology and environmental aspects of technology. Handling technology: working principles, systems, control and using technology. Designing and making functional products. The National Institute for Educational Measurement is commissioned for the assessment of the National Curriculum. The assessment of the Technology Curriculum is realized by three different tests: A written test. A practical skill test. Designing and making a functional product. Although the curriculum is taught at one level, there is a need for tests that take into account the differences between pupils. The paper will give a short overview of secondary education in The Netherlands, the implementation of the National Curriculum and the assessment of the Technology Curriculum and the practical choices that were made in the construction of test items.