Blog 2

What have I learned about assessment that will help me to improve student learning?

Fundamental Principles

I have learned that the purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning. The 7 fundamental principles create a foundation for challenging practice. When these principles are understood by teachers, they will guide the collection of information that will help inform instructional decisions, promote engagement, and improve learning. To ensure that assessment is valid and reliable and that it leads to the improvement of student learning for all students, teachers use practices that support students, including those with special ed needs and those who are ELL. Teachers also use practices that are carefully planned to relate to the curriculum expectations and learning goals and the interests, learning styles and preferences, needs, and expectations of all students.

Learning Skills and Work Habits

I have learned that the development of learning skills and work habits is an important part of a student's learning. Assessing, evaluating, and reporting on the achievement of curriculum expectations and on the demonstration of working skills and work habits separately allows teachers to provide information to parents and student that is specific to each area of achievement. Clearly identifying the focus of curriculum expectations and evidence to assess and evaluate their achievement will help teachers in making decisions about whether the demonstration of a learning skill/work habit should be part of the evaluation of an expectation. Behaviours demonstrating responsibility, organization, etc. are intended to help but not restrict teachers in their efforts to help students become effective learners.  

Performance Standards - the Achievement Chart

I learned that the content standards describe the knowledge and skills students are expected to develop and demonstrate in their work, on tests, and in other activities where their achievement is assessed and evaluated. The achievement chart for each subject is a standard guide and is to be used by teachers as a framework to assess and evaluate student achievement of the expectations in the specific subject. It enables teachers to make consistent judgments about the quality of student learning based on performance standards and evidence collected over time. It also gives teachers a foundation for developing clear feedback for students and parents. The achievement chart establishes categories and criteria to assess and evaluate students' learning.

Assessment for Learning and as Learning

I learned that ongoing descriptive feedback linked specifically to the learning goals and success criteria is a powerful tool for improving student learning and is a fundamental to building a culture of learning within the classroom. As the teacher provides feedback, and as the student responds, the assessment information gathered is used to improve learning and instruction. Multiple opportunities for feedback and follow-up are planned during instruction to allow for improvement in learning before evaluation. The focus of feedback is to encourage is to encourage students to produce their best work by improving upon their previous work and to teach them the language and skills for assessment, so they can self and peer assess.