Assessment is the purposeful and systematic process of gathering, recording, interpreting, using and reporting information about a child’s progress and achievement. All forms of assessment should seek to enhance student achievement. Assessment is used to support teachers in gathering and using appropriate data to drive decisions about learners, learning and pedagogy. A coherent, systematic approach to assessment will ensure that the individual needs of students are met and that the teaching and learning are informed by the needs of the student. As such, assessment is an integral part of the teaching and learning process.
There are different purposes for assessment. Assessment for learning (formative) helps identify a student’s current understandings to help them attain higher levels of performance. Assessment of learning (summative) indicates the standards achieved by students at particular points in their schooling. Diagnostic assessment determines the nature of the students’ learning and provides appropriate feedback or intervention.
At St Pius, we make use of appropriate assessment information from multiple sources to form and drive teaching and learning. Some of the procedures to ensure this occurs at St Pius include:
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Collection of Evidence and Data - comprehensive evidence and data gathering will take place throughout the learning process.
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Recording Data - records can provide the basis for forming judgements about student performance on multiple tasks, for assessing the reliability of the tasks and for mapping student progress.
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Analysis of Data - processes are in place to ensure staff at St Pius can effectively analyse and interpret relevant data and make practical inferences.
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Student Improvement - Feedback - Learners learn best when they understand what they are trying to learn and what is expected of them. At St Pius Learning Intentions and Success Criteria for all learning are communicated and reinforced. Students also learn best when they are given regular feedback about the quality of their work and what they can do to make it better. Students are encouraged to set learning goals to assist with overall improvement.
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Reporting of Student Progress - St Pius reports twice yearly using a five-point scale in all learning areas. Other areas such as student attitudes, effort and attendance will also be included in the Report. Parents also have the opportunity to discuss student progress at a Parent / Teacher interview.
NAPLAN
NAPLAN is an annual assessment for all students in Years 3, 5, 7 and 9. It tests the types of skills that are essential for every child to progress through school and life. The tests cover skills in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and punctuation, and numeracy. The assessments are undertaken every year at St Pius School in May for Years 3 and 5. For more information on NAPLAN, please visit the following webpage:
http://www.nap.edu.au/.