Data, Assessment & Reporting

Context:

Assessment & Reporting combine to support students to achieve high standards and to provide the basis for guiding further learning, as well as informing parents about their child's achievement. Assessment refers to all the ways we gather information about progress in a student's learning. Assessment is an integral part of instruction, as it determines whether or not the goals of education are being met. Assessment affects decisions about grades, placement, advancement, instructional needs, curriculum, and, in some cases, funding. It assists teachers and parents about student progress with learning and provides evidence as to whether current programs that are being implemented, are working. It gives an evidence based structure that teachers can reflect on and share with the school community. Additionally, it provides feedback to students, teachers and the leadership team on individual learning.

At my current site, formative and summative assessment tasks are done regularly where students are observed and assessed on specific aspects of topics and content. Mid-year and end of year reports are required, where comments, achievement grades, effort grades and growth mindset grades are placed in for all subject areas.

Annotation/Action:

Each lesson, I often observe student participation and progress and give them a tracking grade. I often use a '< = >' process. (< - decreased progress, = - at the expected standard, > - improved/above standard). I often give students one symbol for each lesson to provide them with feedback on how they worked for the lesson and how they are tracking in topics. This also provides formative assessment to be completed with minor tasks on new concepts.

This then helps when grading for the summative tasks. I always ensure to provide a comment to students with feedback about their summative assessments and provide reflection time to gather their input as well.

All data from each unit of work, in each subject area is collected and placed together for an overall academic and effort grade. This includes mid year and end of year reports. I always keep comments that I make during the year on student progress, to then turn to for the reporting comments. I often distinguish what grade they are achieving for the subject, what units they have completed and are capable of doing in the subject area, and a follow up on what their next step to development is. I have found this to be a great process and provides carers with clear indication of their child's education in Year 5.

Results:

Assessment and reporting mid year and end of year is a great opportunity to recognise student growth. It is also a source of overall feedback on the semester and the year for the students. Further, providing them with goals to strive for in their next stage of education. I have found parents to be cooperative and understanding during reporting time, often appreciating the feedback given on student development.

Evaluation:

Always keeping track of student progress in each subject area, allows me to be organised for assessment and reporting. Managing student progress in every aspect and writing comments along the way, makes report writing time easier. As I always provide students with constructive and positive feedback, they are always knowing what to expect and how to apply the feedback to better their learning abilities. I have found a process that works great for me when this time of year comes, which allows me to have it done before the timeframe at a great standard.

Standards:

1.1 Physical, social and intellectual development and characteristics of students

1.2 Understand how students learn

2.3 Curriculum, assessment and reporting

3.5 Use effective classroom communication

3.7 Engage parents / carers in the educative process

5.1 Assess student learning

5.2 Provide Feedback to students on their learning

5.3 Make consistent and comparable judgements

5.4 Interpret student data

5.5 Report on student achievement

7.3 Engage with the parents / carers