Student ASSESSMENT & Evaluation

Assessment & Evaluation Policy & Procedures

 At  L'Amoreaux C.I , we believe that the goal of assessment and evaluation is to support and enhance student learning. Assessment is the continuous process of gathering and interpreting information about student learning. Evaluation uses that information to make judgments about student achievement. Together, they promote the development of a positive learning experience. As we encourage our students to become lifelong learners, assessment and evaluation challenge them to reach their potential. Through assessment and evaluation processes, students, parents, and staff work together to nurture positive self-concept and self-knowledge in each individual student. The  L'Amoreaux C.I policy reflects the expectations of the Ministry of Education, which can be found on pages 27 - 46 of the "Growing Success Document". 

To learn more, please visit: https://schoolweb.tdsb.on.ca/Portals/humbersideci/docs/ASSESSMENT%20%26%20EVALUATION.pdf 

ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION AT L'AMOREAUX C.I. 

Assessment and Evaluation at L'Amoreaux encompasses the following principles: 

• Recognizes that diverse student learning styles require a variety of assessment strategies 

• States clear, realistic expectations in advance in writing 

• Involves the student in the process of assessment and evaluation of their own achievements 

• Is an ongoing process, which includes diagnostic, formative, and summative assessments 

• Provides information for planning, implementing, and improving instruction, curriculum and educational programs 

• Reflects instructional strategies and methods 

• Provides constructive, timely feedback to ensure each student is given clear directions for improvement 

• Forms the basis for communicating progress between the student, the parent, and the teacher 

TESTS

Major tests (i.e., testing requiring 20 minutes or more) will be conducted only during the first period in the morning and the first period after lunch. 

Quizzes (i.e., a mini-Intellectual Review of no more than 20 minutes) may be conducted during any period, with or without prior notice. Quizzes lasting more than 20 minutes shall only be conducted during testing periods, as per above. 

Make-up testing (or other form of opportunity to demonstrate the proficiency of the learning expectations) may occur as stated by department/course policy and will be conducted, at the teacher's convenience, during non-regularly scheduled classes (i.e., before school, noon hour, after school). The term to culminating/exam marks ratio is 70% to 30% according to Ministry Policy. 

Student Attendance 

The Staff at L'Amoreaux actively support the following policy statements: 

• Students are expected to arrive at each class at the stated time. 

• Students can expect teachers to address the issue of lateness with them. 

• Student lateness will be recorded and reported to the Office. 

• Persistent lateness will require parent/guardian involvement and will result in escalating consequences. 

Academic success is highly dependent upon regular attendance in class. If, for any reason, you are absent, you are expected to bring a note of explanation from your parent or legal guardian. Present this to your teachers immediately upon your return for their acknowledgement and initialling. At the end of the day, you are responsible for dropping the note into the main office. 

Students who are late for class or absent from school are responsible for catching up on any work missed and filling in any gaps in their education.

Parents/Guardians will be notified by phone in order to maintain ongoing communications regarding attendance and achievement. 

Absence During Courses, Tests, and Performance-Based Assessments

Please note ... 

Students who are legitimately absent for assigned evaluation sessions, e.g., tests, presentations, etc., through illness, field trips, sports and other activities authorized by the school will NOT be penalized. The individual teacher will determine ways and means by which the missed work can be evaluated. 

• The student must submit a note from his/her parents/guardian explaining the absence. 

• If a note is submitted, the student will do a "make-up" at a time arranged with the teacher, or at the teacher's discretion, the mark will be prorated. (Make-up means an opportunity to demonstrate the proficiency of the learning expectations and may not necessarily take the same form as the original test, assignment, etc.)

• It is the student's responsibility to find out what assessments and evaluations they may have missed during their absence. 

• If a note is not submitted, the student will not have an opportunity to demonstrate proficiency of the expectations; therefore, a mark of zero will be assigned. 

Absence From Culminating Activities/Evaluations 

At the end of each semester, there will be summative evaluations in each course. Some of these will occur in the weeks preceding the final evaluation schedule for each semester. There will be no exemptions for these summative evaluations/examinations, and they can only be written or presented during their scheduled evaluation time slot. 

Planned vacation time, and/or employment, is not a valid reason for missing a Culminating Activity, Summative Evaluation and/or an Examination. 

Students cannot write or present summative evaluations, and/or final examinations, outside of their scheduled time slot. Please check the January and June calendars before booking family vacations, trips, appointments, etc., during the Culminating Activities/Summative Evaluations/Examinations period. 

 If you missed an examination due to an extenuating circumstance, such as a medical illness prohibiting you from writing and/or presenting your summative evaluation and/or final examination, or an immediate death in the family, a medical note or other official documentation (e.g., a death certificate or a pastor's or spiritual leader's letter), will be required to be submitted to a vice-principal.

The note must specify: 

•  The dates of the illness or passing of a loved one, and that said illness or death prevented you from being able to write your summative evaluation and/or final examination during its scheduled time block. The note must be presented to the appropriate Vice-Principal within 48 hours. Failure to do so will result in a mark of zero. 

Students who submit appropriate documentation and are excused from a summative evaluation and/or final examination will receive a final mark based on 100% of their coursework earned to date. 

Late and Missed Assignments 

Meeting deadlines is an important part of effective work and study habits! 

At  L'Amoreaux C.I, we believe that... 

• Assignments (written, oral and performance-based) should be given realistic deadlines. When appropriate, teachers may invite student input into setting the due date. 

• Students who are unable to meet a set deadline must inform their teachers prior to the due date, and, where possible, negotiate a second deadline that is reasonable and make the necessary arrangements to complete the assignment. 

• Although marks will not be deducted for lateness following a negotiated deadline, students will be held accountable. 

• Some necessary arrangements could include parental contact, remedial assistance, modified or alternative assignments, and a completion contract. 

• Students who are habitually late with handing in assignments may lose the opportunity to negotiate a second deadline. 

• Late submission for assignments will be reflected in the reporting of learning skills on the report card. 

• Ultimately, if the assignment is not submitted within a reasonable time, the student has not demonstrated proficiency of the assignment's expectations; therefore, a mark of zero will be assigned. 

Homework

Homework is an out-of-classroom learning experience assigned by a teacher to enhance student learning. The purpose of homework is to ensure it is both effective in promoting high-quality student learning and achievement, and it nurtures a desire for students to keep learning. Completion of homework can contribute to improved student achievement, particularly in the upper grades. 

The amount of time a student spends on assigned homework depends on such factors as the student's needs, learning ability, subject, school schedule, proximity to tests, examinations, and assigned homework due dates. 

Students (or parents) who have homework concerns are encouraged to contact their (child's) teacher to discuss the situation. 

As per TDSB homework: 

• Is curriculum based and meets the developmental and individual needs of the student through differentiation and modification 

• Whenever possible, homework shall be assigned to be returned using blocks of time so that families can best support homework completion by balancing the time required to complete homework with extra-curricular activities scheduled outside of the school day and activities that support personal and family wellness

• May be used to provide feedback to the student 

• Is designed to require no additional teaching outside of the classroom and is engaging and relevant to student learning 

• Has a direct link to the topic or skills that have been taught in class 

• Ensures that students understand what is expected of them before leaving school 

• Is intended to be a positive experience and not punitive 

• May be designed to involve parents/guardians in supporting their children's learning, but does not require them to teach concepts 

• Is communicated to parents in many ways, including curriculum nights, parent-teacher conferences, student agendas, School Council meetings, and newsletters 

TIMING, SCHEDULING AND QUALITY OF HOMEWORK

Homework in grades 9 to 12 shall be clearly articulated and planned with an estimated completion time of two hours or less. 

Students shall receive no more than 30-minutes/period/day, not including long-term assignments or projects for which students have been allotted reasonable in-school and/or out-of-school time in which to complete the assigned work or project. 

Students are responsible for:

• Recording homework in his/her agenda or student planner 

• Ensuring that he/she clearly understands the homework assigned, i.e., homework criteria, and timelines, and asks for clarification or assistance from the teacher when homework tasks or the expectations are not clear, or there is a time conflict due to homework in many different subjects 

• Managing time and materials, e.g. by bringing home necessary materials 

• Regularly completing assigned homework in a timely manner to the best of his/her ability  

Additional Policy on homework:

1.0. Where appropriate, there will be progressive consequences for incomplete homework. 

1.1. Homework is reported on the Secondary Report Card as part of the Works Independently and Work/Habits/Homework. 

1.2. No homework shall be assigned on scheduled holidays as outlined in the school year calendar, or on days of significance identified by the TDSB. 

*[Exception: This does NOT apply in situations where homework/assignment was assigned in advance of a holiday or day of significance, and where ample opportunity has been provided, either in-school and/or out-of-school, to complete said homework/assignment outside of the scheduled holiday or day of significance.]

1.3. During the moratorium period of four school days prior to the scheduled mid-term or semester and final exam days (including any  L'Amoreaux C.I Summative Evaluation days), there shall be no: 

• projects or assignments for students writing an examination 

• culminating activities for students' writing examination 

• homework, other than homework that is considered to be part of the systematic review and examination preparation process (such as review quizzes, sample examination questions, or practice tests) and that do not count for marks, may be assigned during the pre-examination moratorium period 

• *[Exception: This does NOT apply in situations where homework/assignment was assigned in advance of the moratorium period, and where ample opportunity has been provided, either in-school and/or out-of-school, to complete said homework/assignment outside of the moratorium period.] 

1.4. Teachers shall not be expected to provide detailed classroom work and homework assignments for students who are away for extended periods of time because of family-or parent-initiated absences. For absences due to extended illness, parents may contact the school Vice Principals to discuss available options.