With Semester 1 reports due at the end of Term 2, it
is timely that teachers review their understanding of
assessment, to ensure that the procedures they have
put in place will assist them to make judgements about
student achievement on the five point achievement
scale. Making judgements at this point in time should
inform their future planning for teaching/and learning
programs in Semester 2.
So, what do we mean by assessment?
Assessment is the process of identifying, gathering
and interpreting information about students’ learning.
The central purpose of assessment is to provide
information on student achievement and progress and
set the direction for ongoing teaching and learning.
Principles for assessment and reporting
in NSW government schools
This definition provides us with the opportunity to
look at two types of assessment:
• assessment of learning
• assessment for learning.
Assessment of learning
Assessment of learning looks at a student’s level of
performance on a specific task or at the end of a
unit of teaching and learning. The information we
gain from this kind of assessment can be used for
reporting.
When deciding on a level of achievement, we need
to make on balance judgements that best fit. For
example: ‘This piece of work demonstrates strengths
here and weaknesses here, but on balance, it fits best
into this judgement.’ An on-balance judgement does
not just focus on a single piece of work.
We also need to understand the context of a standards
framework, specifically, content and performance
standards.
Content standards
What have the students had the opportunity to learn?
What do we expect them to know, understand and
do? This is set out in syllabuses and school teaching
and learning programs.
Performance standards
How well have the students achieved?