Reporting and Assessment
Assessment Strategies and Feedback
Teachers use a range and balance of school-based assessment strategies and feedback techniques, including:
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Benchmarks and continuums
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Structured observations
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Anecdotal records
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Performance tasks
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Rubrics or guiding descriptors
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Portfolios of work
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e-asTTle Writing Sample
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Student/teacher/parent conferences
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Independent work samples
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Small group work
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Observations
The principle purposes of assessing what has been learned are to:
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Determine what the student knows and understands about the world
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Inform and differentiate teaching and learning
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Monitor the effectiveness of the programme
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Identify the professional development needs of teachers
Essentially, assessment is of two types, each of which has a specific function:
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Formative assessment is interwoven with daily learning and helps teachers and students find out what the students already know in order to plan the next stage of learning. Formative assessment and learning activities are directly linked; neither can function effectively or purposefully without the other.
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Summative assessment occurs at the end of the teaching and learning process and provides students with opportunities to demonstrate what they have learned. It aims to give teachers and students a clear insight into students’ understanding.
Reporting
Linc-Ed is the tool we use to report progress to parents. Reporting is done is real-time with teachers update the information on children's accounts after assessment periods and as part of their regular classroom program. Linc-Ed helps teachers identify the needs of the children in their class and deliver a more targeted teaching program to their class.
Children's levels are reflected on progression wheels made up of the goals at each level of the NZ Curriculum. The average student takes approximately 2 years to move through each curriculum level - for example:
Level 1 : Year 1 and Year 2
Level 2 : Year 3 and Year 4
Level 3: Year 5 and Year 6
Curriculum wheels are discussed in thirds- The first third is referred to as 'Early' e.g. Early Level 1. The middle third is referred to as 'At' e.g. At Level 1 and the final third is referred to as 'End'e.g. End of Level
Early Level 1
At Level 1
End of Level 1
At times children may be bridging between levels with a few goals remaining and one level and some areas already selected at the next level up. This is normal and a reflection of your child's strengths and areas to work on.
You can access your child's Linc-Ed account at any point throughout the year. A formal report is posted to your child's account at the end of each year. We encourage you to make checking your children's accounts regularly with your child to discuss their current goals. You are also encouraged to discuss your child's Linc-Ed goals during Touching Base meetings with teachers.
If your child is graduating from our school at the end of Year 6 you can request an interim report to support school applications. You do not need to do this if applying to Whangaparaoa College. Information regarding this process is sent to parents at the start of Term 3 each year.