Romania education reforms proposed to overhaul National Evaluation

Proposed reforms to Romania’s National Evaluation for eighth-grade students suggest a shift toward a model similar to PISA. Former Education Minister Mircea Miclea has proposed a four-part assessment covering Romanian language and literature, mathematics, a transdisciplinary science exam, digital competencies, and a foreign language. This approach aims to evaluate practical life skills rather than just academic knowledge. Additionally, high schools could potentially assign different weights to these subjects based on their specific profiles, such as prioritizing science for technical tracks.

Meanwhile, Minister of Education and Research Mihai Dimian has called for increased rigor in student grading. Dimian highlighted a significant gap between classroom grades and standardized test results, noting OECD data where only 48% of 15-year-old Romanian students reach level 2 proficiency in mathematics and reading. He emphasized that schools must identify learning gaps early and provide remedial activities to ensure students meet minimum standards before advancing, arguing that promoting students without necessary competencies only complicates future learning.