The report is devoted to the problem of reading with understanding in the fourth grade. The problem of the levels of reading literacy of elementary school pupils is also affected by international systems for assessing their achievements worldwide - PISA and PIRLS. The worrying results show that Bulgaria occupies one of the last places of literacy in the charts of the two international systems, which implies the necessity of introducing changes in the educational system. For this reason, the National External Assessment at the end of the 4th grade was introduced, based on the level of literacy and reader competence of our students.As a result of yearly tests and many expert studies, we disprove the information originally presented that we are at the bottom of the literacy chart in Europe. During the last few years, Bulgarian students have not only improved their literacy skills, but they have also been among the successful participants in national reading competitions, the project initiatives organized by the Ministry of Education and Science and the clubs for readership interests of the local libraries .Our pupils work on learning projects both in school time and in extracurricular activities that teachers place on their own. Design works are not only a pleasant activity for learners, but also a way of enriching the child's personality, building useful competencies and stimulating the development of creative activity. Apart from the above, the project activities allow students to share ideas, experiences, interests, teamwork, listen and respect with respect to their classmate's point of view, to communicate as equal partners in the process of project endeavors. Teamwork brings together the class and sets the foundations for a friendly work environment where each team member makes every effort to finalize the project.
Issues in Literacy Assessment: Facing the Realities of Internal and External Assessment
