Background |
To provide support for schools’ self-evaluation, the EDB launched the Assessment Program for Affective and Social Outcomes (APASO) in 2003 and subsequently its updated version in the 2010/11 school year. This tool facilitates schools to examine their students’ development and needs in the social and affective domains and the effectiveness of the related measures implemented in schools, so as to inform their related planning for the betterment of students’ whole-person development. Since its inception, APASO has been widely adopted by schools. In view of the latest education development and schools’ needs, APASO is updated in a timely manner. The EDB commissioned the Chinese University of Hong Kong to conduct a comprehensive study to review and revise APASO-II and update the norm data. After the completion of the review, the EDB launched APASO-III for secondary and primary schools in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 school year respectively. Schools can continue to conduct related student questionnaire surveys anonymously through the “E-platform for School Development and Accountability". APASO-III is an enhancement of the previous version. The scales and the norm data of APASO have been updated according to the education goals and the latest education development in Hong Kong. The revised APASO-III aligns with the latest curriculum development and the seven learning goals of primary and secondary education. The scales “Psychological Health”, “Physical Health”, “Life Planing”, etc. are developed or enhanced to enhance the support to schools’ self-evaluation. |