Embedded Files
For the full Assessment Policy at ICS, please follow this link HERE.
Academic Achievement Grade Descriptors.
Academic Achievement Grade Descriptors.
The MYP Assessment Criteria and Descriptors for each subject can be found by accessing individual course pages on Toddle and by contacting respective teachers. These criteria are consistent over the 5 years of MYP and the descriptors follow a sequence for growth.
In the DP & CP, Assessment criteria vary by both assessment and subject - these can be found in the guides for each subject at SL and HL.
ICS Classes use Assessment Criteria and Grade Descriptors based on the department's body of accredited standards. The 9-12 ICS-Based Course Grade Descriptors are HERE.
BTEC is assessed using the assessment criteria set by Pearson on both internally and externally assessed tasks.
Scheduling Assessment, Feedback, Assessment Submission & Grading
Scheduling Assessment, Feedback, Assessment Submission & Grading
Scheduling
Teachers utilize Toddle in Gr 9, 10 and 11, and Managebac in Gr 12 (specific assessment calendars) to help students proactively keep track of their assessments. The guidelines below are intended to help students remain balanced and manage their learning. With numerous personalised schedules, it is also the responsibility of the student to advocate/speak to a teacher if needed. Where required, teachers will offer a student an additional sitting for a summative.
No more than 2 in-class summatives on the same day (presentations, exams or tests).
Exception for 3rd assessment if it’s a project-based assessment (essay, group project, individual project, etc.) where there has been class time given to complete the project and the student's responsibility is to submit the task on that day.
No more than 5 assessments in a week (some flexibility here for Gr 12 Mock exams, special circumstances, etc.)
Teachers will update the assessment calendars proactively 14 days in advance whenever possible.
Feedback
Teachers will post feedback within 10 days in for assessments. For summative assessments, teacher comments that summarize the strengths and areas for growth will be included. More specific feedback can be found on the assessment itself.
For IBDP IAs, the students must have two weeks to act on formal written feedback before formal submission.
Modified Grades (Curriculum)
Some students with accommodations may have modifications to the curriculum that reflects their individual learning needs. Grades will be marked as modified if the curriculum, standards or class assessments are significantly altered for that student. This might be done for students who are still learning English or who have verified learning differences.
The Student Support Team (SST) must make a recommendation in order for a student’s curriculum to be modified.
If the curriculum for a course has been modified for a student, it will be marked with an asterisks (*) on the report and on the transcript.
Retaking Assessments
As an inclusive school, assessment practices at ICS are aligned with our Inclusion and Language Policy and practices. Wherever possible, missed assessments (mostly non-project based) are re-taken to be included as part of a student's body of evidence that is used to create a final grade. In some circumstances (project and non-project based), a missed assessment may be given a "no grade" (N/G) if it is not possible to re-take. However, as part of a larger body of work, a teacher will still have enough evidence to create a grade. This is practiced consistently throughout ICS, MYP and DP Courses, and is considered on a case-by-case basis.
In MYP Courses, overall 1-7 grades are not given on assessments. If a student receives a grade 2 or below in one or more Assessment Criteria, students and parents are notified via Toddle, and provide feedback that a student can work on the next time they are assessed on it. At the teacher and MYPC’s discretion a retake may be offered. If this remains consistent the matter is brought to the Grade Level Leader and intervention plans created to support. MYP Grades are created at the end of the academic year (when all strands and criteria have been assessed twice) and are a "best fit" model - which shows where the student is at that time.
In the DP/CP Programme, assessments are given a mark from 1-7 in most cases (depending on the nature of the assessment) based on the task criteria. A student who receives a grade 2 or below may have the opportunity to re-take a test or re-do portions of an assessment at the teacher's discretion. This is treated on a case-by-case basis and the collected evidence to create overall "best fit" predicted grades for the DP is similar to that of the MYP. If a student earns a grade of 2 or below, the teacher notifies parents. If this remains consistent the matter is brought to the Grade Level Leader and intervention plans created to support.
Submission of Assessments
Teachers collect assessments on the communicated platforms by the communicated deadline. Students are expected to hand in all assessments by this day and time.
In extenuating circumstances, teachers can give extensions, but these must be communicated by students and parents. In these circumstances, students may request a teacher to accept an assessment up to 1 week (5 school days) late. This is a privilege, not a right. In some circumstances (emergency, etc.) parents and students should communicate with the school, and teachers will work with students to create new deadlines. All extensions, wherever possible, should be proactively arranged in advance (more than 2 days before the due date). The most important skill this requires from students and parents is communication.
If an assessment is late and/or no communication has taken place, teachers first communicate with parents and students. If the week (5 school days) passes and no submission has been made, the student will be given a "no grade" (N/G). In the larger body of work, the teacher should still have enough data to provide evidence in creating a Criteria Grade when required. If late submissions continue consistently, this matter is then raised to the Grade Level Leader and HS Leadership Team and interventions are designed as needed.
Wherever possible, if a student hands in an incomplete piece of work, the teacher will assess the work that is available and provide feedback as they can. Incomplete submissions are communicated home to parents and students are then given 5 days to complete the work. At the end of the 5 days, the work that is completed will be assessed.
In the DP - students follow the submission procedures outlined on the Assessment calendar.
Assessments: Special Cases
If a student is found purposely missing a class to prepare for an assessment for another class:
The student will be permitted to take the assessment and receive feedback, but a NG will be recorded on the grade book.
For a DP Student - this may put submission of an IA into jeopardy regarding academic integrity and additional time over others.
For each instance of any of the above regarding Assessment, PowerSchool Log entries are recorded.
Reporting
Reporting
Parents and students are provided with login information for PowerSchool - this is available and encouraged in both website and app platforms. In the HS, comments on student progress are given on an ongoing basis over the course of a semester in the form of summative feedback.
Progress reports are a snapshot of student's performance over a designated period and provide feedback regarding the level of growth a student has shown at that point in time. They are not the only means of communicating progress. Teachers and parents normally engage in regular communication regarding student progress through conversation, email, or other means.
Progress reports are released through the High School's student information system, PowerSchool. Parents and students are provided with Power School login information at the start of the school year or from the point of enrolment for new students. Formalized reporting periods are designated at the start of the academic year and shared with students and parents from the High School office.
Change of Grade
In cases where a student’s grade is to be changed after the reporting session, due to late submission of work or for other reasons, the High School Principal may approve the change. A Change of Grade Form shall be completed and submitted to the IT/PowerSchool office for this purpose.
Arriving Students
For students joining us part way through a Semester, guidelines for reporting are here.
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