Learning (approaches to assessment)

Ensuring effective education

In addition to the development of the school’s assessment policy, it is the responsibility of the coordinator to promote a positive culture and environment in which assessment practices aim to improve learning and teaching.

Think about how the following actions may support teachers as they develop their approaches to assessment:

• Invite teachers to consider the who, how and why regarding feedback in the classroom.

Ask: Is feedback being provided by both students and teachers? How is that feedback being applied?

• Review the school-based system(s) used to report learning.

Ask: Can the information being reported be used to promote future growth and improvement?

• Ensure that teachers are documenting and evaluating student learning to design future learning based on data.

Ask: How might learning engagements change based on evidence of prior learning?

• Encourage teachers to plan for a variety of assessment strategies for conceptual understanding throughout the scope of student learning.

Ask: What opportunities exist for students to show their understanding in a variety of ways.

• Develop assessment tools such as rubrics and checklists with teachers.

Ask: How do students know the learning expectations? When appropriate, how can students co-construct assessment criteria with teachers?

• Communicate assessment practices with the school community.

Ask: Do families understand the purpose of assessment in the school?

Ongoing refinement of assessment practices