Assessment

How is my child assessed?

The MYP is part of the continuum of IB education, serving students in grades 6 -10. At ICS, the MYP is an inquiry and concept-based programme. It encourages students to explore new concepts and subjects with which they may be unfamiliar. Then students make connections to previous knowledge and transform that knowledge into creative and novel assessments.

Assessment in the MYP is something which happens throughout a unit and helps both the teacher and student on their learning journeys. Assessment helps us reflect on what we have learnt and helps us set goals for future learning! It is not something to be afraid of, but something to guide students.

Authentic MYP Assessment is a performance of understanding showing conceptual understanding and engagement with the statement of inquiry, unit objectives and the unit content: knowledge, understanding of content and approaches to learning skills. Wiggins states that authentic real world assessment, “represents challenges within a given discipline. They are designed to emphasize realistic (but fair) complexity” which simulates the “messiness of real or simulated settings, purposes and audiences.”

MYP generally considers three types of assessment. They are:

Please read below for more information on formative and summative assessment practices:

Formative Assessment

Summative Assessment

Please read below for an example of a common format for assessments in the MYP:

Performances of Understanding: Summative assessments
This is an example of an assessment design model used frequently by our teachers:

Performance tasks

A performance task is any learning activity or assessment that asks students to perform to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and proficiency.

Unlike a selected-response item (e.g., multiple-choice or matching) that asks students to select from given alternatives, a performance task presents a situation that calls for learners to apply their learning in context. https://jaymctighe.com/what-is-a-performance-task/

GRASPS is a model for demonstrating performance of understanding using authentic assessments.

It is one of many performance of understanding models, but is ideally suited to the kind of project-based inquiries.
GRASPS represent a framework for organizing, delivering, and assessing a project-based assessment.
The assessment associated with the inquiry is structured around the following expectations and goals.

Goal: A definition of the problem or goal
Role: Define the role of the student
Audience: Identify the target audience
Situation: This is the context or scenario of the goal
Product: What is created and why it will be created
Standards: MYP Rubrics or success criteria

FAQ about MYP Assessment
1. What is MYP assessment based on?

MYP assessment is criteria-based, meaning students are evaluated against specific learning objectives set by the IB for each subject. These objectives are divided into four criteria per subject, and students are assessed on how well they meet each criterion.

2. How often are students assessed in the MYP?

Students are assessed continuously throughout the year. Both formative assessments, which provide ongoing feedback during the learning process, and summative assessments, which evaluate student understanding at the end of a unit, are used to gauge progress.

3. What are formative and summative assessments?

Formative assessments are regular, low-stakes evaluations that help students understand their learning progress and identify areas for improvement. Summative assessments occur at the end of a unit and measure how well students have met the learning objectives for that particular unit.

4. How are grades determined in the MYP?

Grades in the MYP are determined by the level of achievement a student demonstrates in each of the four criteria for a subject. Teachers assess students multiple times for each criterion throughout the year, and the final grade is based on the highest levels of achievement shown in these assessments.

5. What is the scale used for MYP assessment?

MYP assessments are graded on a scale of 1 to 8, with 1 being the lowest and 8 the highest. This scale reflects the student’s overall level of achievement across all criteria for a subject.

6. Can students improve their grades during the year?

Yes, students have multiple opportunities to demonstrate their understanding and skills throughout the year. Teachers consider the most recent and consistent evidence of achievement when determining final grades, allowing students to improve their grades over time.

7. What is the role of feedback in MYP assessment?

Feedback is a crucial part of MYP assessment. Teachers provide constructive feedback on both formative and summative assessments, helping students understand their strengths, areas for improvement, and how to enhance their learning strategies.

8. How do interdisciplinary assessments work in the MYP?

Interdisciplinary assessments involve tasks that require students to apply skills and knowledge from two or more subject areas. These assessments help students make connections between different disciplines and understand complex, real-world issues.

9. How do parents receive information about their child’s progress?

Parents receive regular updates on their child’s progress through report cards, parent-teacher conferences, and access to the school’s learning management system. Teachers may also provide additional feedback or reports as needed throughout the year.

10. What happens if a student is struggling with MYP assessments?

If a student is struggling, teachers will provide additional support and resources to help them improve. This may include differentiated instruction, extra help sessions, or tailored feedback. The goal is to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed in the MYP.

11. How does MYP assessment prepare students for the Diploma Programme (DP)?

MYP assessment fosters the development of critical thinking, research, communication, and self-management skills, which are essential for success in the IB Diploma Programme. The focus on criteria-based assessment in the MYP also aligns closely with the assessment practices in the DP.

MYP Assessment Objectives

Source: Diane Smith

Summative Assessment Design