Revised: September 25, 2001

Policy

The primary purpose of student assessment is to improve learning. Student assessment has the greatest impact on student learning when:

• It is an integral part of teaching/learning activities
• It is based upon clear expectations, consistent with those described in the provincial curriculum
• It gives an accurate description of strengths, areas requiring further development and ways to support learning
• It fosters the development of students' abilities to evaluate their own progress

Assessment is the continuous process of gathering data on student learning and performance, using a variety of methods over time. Evaluation is the application of professional judgment by teachers about the quality of student work based on the data gathered. Reporting (refer to Policy 203) is the communication of evaluative data to students, and parents/guardians about student progress and achievement.

Administrative Procedures

Student assessment practices are to be varied in approach, equitable, free of bias and are to provide opportunities for all students to demonstrate what they have learned. They must:

• Address what students have learned and how well they learn
• Be consistent with curriculum expectations and performance standards
• Be based on expectations that are communicated in advance
• Be criterion-referenced
• Allow students to demonstrate the full range of their learning
• Accommodate the learning needs and styles of exceptional students
• Address student differences in terms of strengths, weaknesses and prior learning
• Provide enough information to allow an accurate judgment achievement