You need to enable JavaScript in order to use the AI chatbot tool powered by ChatBot Skip To Main Content

Assessment

Assessment is the continuous process of gathering, analyzing, and interpreting evidence so students and teachers can make informed decisions that enhance student learning. Assessment policy and practice is the cornerstone of a school’s approach to student achievement and success. At the center of ISK’s assessment practices is ‘Assessment FOR Learning.’ 

Key Principles of Effective Assessment

  • Benefits students – It clarifies for them what they know and can do, and what they still need to learn. 
  • Involves students – Students discuss, clarify, and reflect on their goals, strategies, and progress with their teachers, their parents, and one another. 
  • Supports teaching and learning goals – Students understand the desired outcomes and the criteria for success. Important outcomes are emphasized, and the teacher gives frequent and specific feedback that helps the students to reach them.
  • Is planned and communicated to the students – Outcomes, teaching strategies, and assessment criteria are carefully matched through backward planning.  Students know in advance how and why they are to be assessed. The teacher’s program planning is flexible so that they can make changes in response to new information, opportunities, or insights.
  • Is suited to the purpose – Evidence is obtained through a range of informal and formal assessment approaches. These approaches are chosen to suit the nature of the learning being assessed in line with the curriculum standards, the varied characteristics and experiences of the students, and the purpose for which the information is to be used.  
  • Is valid and fair – Teachers obtain and interpret information from a range of sources and assessments and then base decisions on this evidence, using their professional judgment. 
  • Is embedded in the school ethos The school educates parents, students, teachers, and administrators to become assessment-literate.

 

Feedback

  • Formative Feedback - The results of student work that is done along the way in a unit of learning. Teachers provide regular, ongoing feedback to students about their progress.
  • Self-Assessment - Students are regularly asked to reflect on their progress. This allows students to take ownership of their learning.
  • Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences -Conferences are held midway through each semester. Teachers, students, and parents have an opportunity to look at and discuss student work.
  •  Semester Reports - Reports are sent home at the end of each semester.


Reporting

  • Achievement grades in each subject indicate where a student is along the learning. journey at the end of the semester. They are not an average of all the work done.
  • Progress on ISK’s Active Learner Roles (The Big 5: Self-Manager; Thinker; Collaborator; Changemaker; Communicator).
  • Narratives that describe the student's learning and disposition toward learning. Across the school, we intentionally measure student progress in the Learner Roles of Self-Manager, Collaborator, and Communicator, and design learning pathways that intentionally address all 5 Active Learner Roles.
  • Web-based access - Student progress can be accessed through the PowerSchool portal.