Assessment and Evaluation

Assessment is the systematic process of gathering information about students' learning in order to describe what they know, are able to do, and are working toward. From the evidence and information collected in assessments, teachers describe each student's learning and performance. They use this information to provide students with ongoing feedback, plan further instructional and learning activities, set subsequent learning goals, and determine areas requiring diagnostic teaching and intervention. Teachers determine the purpose, aspects, or attributes of learning on which to focus the assessment. They also decide when to collect the evidence and the assessment methods, tools, or techniques most appropriate to use. Assessment focusses on the critical or significant aspects of the learning students will be asked to demonstrate. Students benefit when they clearly understand the learning goals and learning expectations.

Appendix D includes a more detailed discussion of assessment and evaluation. The provincial reference sets can also help teachers assess the skills that students acquire across curricular areas. The reference sets include:

Evaluating Reading Across Curriculum (RB 0034)
Evaluating Writing Across Curriculum (RB 0020 & RB 0021)
Evaluating Problem Solving Across Curriculum (RB 0053)
Evaluating Group Communication Skills Across Curriculum (RB 0051)
Evaluating Mathematical Development Across Curriculum (RB 0052)

A series of assessment handbooks has also been developed to provide guidance for teachers as they explore and expand their assessment repertoires:

Performance Assessment (XX0246)
Portfolio Assessment (XX0247)
Student-Centred Conferencing (XX0248)
Student Self-Assessment (XX0249)

Table of Contents

Maintained by: Fine Arts Coordinator - Visual Arts

Revised: January 26, 1999

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