Comprehensive Assessment Program (CAP)
Information for Parents
What is the Comprehensive Assessment Program (CAP)?
The Winnipeg School Division Comprehensive Assessment Program for all students in nursery to grade six provides detailed information on each child’s skills in:
- English Language Arts (N-6)
- Mathematics (N-6)
- Basic Movement Skills (K-5)
- Social/Emotional Behaviour (N-4)
- French Language Arts (1-6) (Immersion Schools only)
All kindergarten children also have their hearing screened by volunteers.
After classroom routines have been established, the teacher begins conducting assessment activities and interviews with each child. Some of the activities are done as a class or small group but all involve some individual interaction between the teacher and the child. The overall assessment process is completed by the end of November.
How will the school use the information?
Research emphasizes that effective assessment of a child’s performance will benefit the child’s learning. It has been shown that the time used for individual assessment is time well spent.
The information that your child’s teacher obtains from the annual assessments will be used to plan appropriate programming for your child and for the whole class, based on learning strengths and needs.
It also will be possible to show academic and social growth as your child moves through the grades.
English Language Arts
In English Language Arts, teachers evaluate children’s literacy skills. Literacy is the ability to read, write, speak, and listen to language in a way that allows people to communicate with each other and to make sense of the world.
The assessment includes asking young children to identify common signs such as stop signs and crosswalks, name alphabet letters, retell familiar stories, print their own names and say simple rhymes. As the children move up through the grades they are asked to read and retell grade level books and to write stories.
Mathematics
In Mathematics, the assessment focuses on finding out what children know about numbers.
Children with a good understanding of numbers feel comfortable using numbers and recognize the many ways they can be used in the world around them.
Young children are asked to count out loud, to count objects, and to identify numbers. As the children move up through the grades, the activities become more complex and involve solving problems using numbers.
In grades 5 and 6 the students are involved in group tasks focusing on algebraic reasoning and participate in individual diagnostic interviews.
French Language Arts
In the early grades, students are asked to demonstrate understanding of basic vocabulary, name classroom objects, colours, and letters in French, and say simple rhymes. As the students move up though the grades, students are asked to read grade level books and to write a short paragraph in French.
Social Emotional Development
Social skills and academic success are closely related. Teachers assess children by observing their behaviours. Some of the necessary social skills that will help children be more successful in school are:
- Taking responsibility for their own actions;
- Learning to make good decisions;
- Participating in groups;
- Accepting the views of others;
- Learning to resolve conflicts.
Basic Movement & Fine Motor Skills
Research shows that basic movement skills are necessary for an individual to be active. It is important to identify and program for students who need support in developing basic movement skills. Teachers assess by observing children as they participate in activities and games during physical education classes.
Fine motor skills are assessed through teacher observation as children participate in classroom activities such as printing, using scissors and doing puzzles.
The Parent’s Role
Parents and teachers working together are the very best support for children’s learning. Together, they ensure that children acquire the necessary skills to become successful in life.
At parent/teacher conferences and through regular reporting, the classroom teacher will share information on the skills and knowledge your child has demonstrated.
Teachers will provide information about how your child is progressing, will share programming information and may suggest ways you can help support your child learning at school and at home.
For further information contact your child's teacher.
