Assessment and Evaluation

Rationale

'The primary purpose of school-based assessment is to improve students' learning and the quality of teaching programmes.'      

The New Zealand Curriculum Framework, page 24

Assessment is a process that collects and evaluates evidence in order to improve teaching and learning through the evaluation of both programme and student progress. Good quality assessment practice is essential for the provision of quality, needs based programmes of work. It also provides evidence of student learning and teacher effectiveness.

 Purpose

Assessment and evaluation has three distinct functions:

For the student it

·     provides a written record of progress

·     demonstrates achievement

·     gives evidence of learning

 For the teacher it

·     identifies the knowledge and skills students already have

·     monitors student progress to gauge learning and to identify areas for remediation and extension

·     provides feedback to allow modification of the teaching programme to ensure effectiveness.

 For the school community it

·     enables accurate reporting to board, parents and students

·     provides information within the school and between schools

·     enables the evaluation and review of teaching and learning programmes

Guidelines:

1.         Assessment procedures must be manageable for teachers, non-intrusive for students, and focused on promoting learning.

2.         Individual student data will be recorded using databases, the learning and teaching overview or in student portfolios.

3.         All teachers will regularly record programme and assessment information in the teaching and learning overview. This is filed in the Principals’ folder on the T-drive.

4.         Student portfolios will be sent home each term and over the course of a year will report on each learning area.

5.         Parents will be asked to return the portfolio at the end of the year; but this will be given back to them with the first portfolio of Term One in the following year.  Other collected data in the drop-file will be disposed of at the end of Term One the following year.

1. 6.           Teachers will fill out the Tracking Booklet detailing english strands, numeracy and essential skills.

1. 7.            Reporting to Parents

Term 1 Week  2          Meet my Community

Term 1 Week  7          Portfolios go home (including previous year’s one)

Term 1 Week 8           Learning conferences

Term 2 Week 8           Portfolios go home

Term 3 Week 7           Portfolios go home

Term 3 Week 8           Student-led learning conferences

Term 4 Week 10         Portfolios go home

Term 4 Week 11         Portfolios returned

8.            School-Wide Reporting

The Principal is responsible for the collection of and reporting about school-wide data to the Board of Trustees. Literacy, numeracy and the school-wide topic will be reported on each term. Other curriculum areas are reported on as per the school’s organisational plan.

Conclusion

Assessment  is part of the on-going programme of self review. Its major focus must always be the improvement of the teaching and learning.