Communicating Academic Achievement of Schools to Stakeholders: The Use of Weighted Average

Abstract

This paper examined the statistical approach adopted by schools to communicate their academic achievement to stakeholders. The paper looked at the most frequently adopted method, the use of percentage scores, and discussed the limitations of its usage. The paper also explored the use of the weighted average of scores and compared it to the use of percentage scores. Data from the West Africa Examinations Council and standardised test scores from a selected high school were used for the paper’s analyses and illustrations. The paper demonstrated that the weighted average of scores accounted for quality of grades obtained as well as the number of candidates presented by a school. The paper identified the use of weighted average of scores as a preferred option to percentage scores in communicating academic achievement to stakeholders. Major recommendation suggested by this paper is for the adoption of weighted average of scores to communicate academic achievement of schools to stakeholders.