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Assessment is the process of gathering information that accurately reflects how well a student is achieving the curriculum expectations in a subject or course. The primary purpose of assessment is to improve student learning. Assessment for the purpose of improving student learning is seen as both “assessment for learning” and “assessment as learning”. As part of assessment for learning, teachers provide students with descriptive feedback and coaching for improvement. Teachers engage in assessment as learning by helping all students develop their capacity to be independent, autonomous learners who are able to set individual goals, monitor their own progress, determine next steps, and reflect on their thinking and learning.
The primary purpose of assessment is to improve student learning.
The primary purpose of assessment is to improve student learning.
Teachers will obtain assessment information through a variety of means, which may include formal and informal observations, discussions, learning conversations, questioning, conferences, homework, tasks done in groups, demonstrations, projects, portfolios, developmental continua, performances, peer and self-assessments, self-reflections, essays, and tests.
As an integral part of teaching and learning, assessment should be planned concurrently with instruction and integrated seamlessly into the planning cycle to inform instruction, guide next steps, and help teachers and students monitor students’ progress toward achieving goals. (Growing Success, pg. 29)
Growing Success focuses on three types of assessment:
● Assessment for learning
● Assessment as learning
● Assessment of learning
Please see the most current information and supports for Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting in Employee Connect at this link: Employee Connect > School Resources > Assessment, Evaluation, Reporting > Elementary Reporting
More about... Assessment For Learning
More about... Assessment For Learning
Assessment for learning is the process of seeking and interpreting evidence for use by learners and their teachers to decide where the learners are in their learning, where they need to go, and how best to get there. (Growing Success, 2010, p. 31) Diagnostic assessment occurs before instruction begins in order to determine what students already know and can do in order to determine students' readiness to learn new knowledge and skills in the overall and specific expectations (p. 31). Diagnostic assessment is one part of the process of gathering information about and evidence of a child’s learning and achievement. This information establishes the starting point for new learning, and helps teachers and students set appropriate learning goals.
Formative assessment, such as questioning, feedback and peer & self assessement, occurs during instruction, while students are gaining knowledge and practicing skills. This information is used to monitor a learner's progress toward achieving the overall expectations as teachers provide meaningful feedback to students in response to student needs.
PPM 155
PPM 155
Policy Program Memorandum (PPM) 155 requires that School Boards provide a preapproved list of formal diagnostic assessments tools. “Teachers will then select from this list the diagnostic assessment they will use with their student. The tools are administered in a manner that will allow the teacher to assess students’ progress and share such information with the principal upon request.”
More information about assessment in general can be found in the SMCDSB AER monographs at Employee Connect: Academic Resources → Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting → Policy Documents → Elementary AER Monographs
Pre-approved Formal Assessment Tools List for Elementary students:
Pre-approved Formal Assessment Tools List for Elementary students:
Mathematics
MathUp - MathUp includes diagnostic tools
Numeracy Nets – A Pearson resource. Grades K-8. It provides a quick diagnostic assessment in all strands to determine areas of need for students.
Leaps and Bounds – A Nelson resource. Grades 1-8. Similar to the Ministry’s Gap Closing materials, it includes a readiness diagnostic and intervention.
Ontario Numeracy Assessment Project - A Nelson Resource. Grades 4-9. This resource is a curriculum assessment tool.
First Steps Mathematics - Pearson resource. Elementary. (now free as a Creative Commons license PDF)
To learn more about Assessment For, As and Of Learning, please visit the online learning module: "When students just don't get "it": How best practices in assessment promote achievement for ALL students".
Assessment of Learning
Assessment of Learning
are linked below. Click on the each of the items in below for specific resources to support in writing effective comments. Additionally, the previously developed Mathematics 2019 comment samples document may still prove useful.
An Introduction to Growing Success: the Mathematics Addendum
An Introduction to Growing Success: the Mathematics Addendum
This webinar is offered by presenters from the Ministry of Education. Alternative Link: An Introduction to Growing Success: the Mathematics Addendum
DECK: An Introduction to Growing Success: the Mathematics Addendum Deck
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