Assessment in the Winnipeg School Division
The ultimate goal of assessment is to help develop independent, life-long learners who regularly monitor and assess their own learning
-Manitoba Education Citizenship and Youth 2003.
Assessment practices in the Winnipeg School Division are guided by the principles and procedures outlined in division policy: IK - Student Assessment
The Western Northern Canadian Protocol document Rethinking Classroom Assessment with Purpose in Mind also supports assessment practices in the Division.
There are two kinds of assessment used in schools.
One type of assessment involves testing students at the end of a unit of work or having students write exams at the end of a term. These assessments are a ‘snapshot’ of how well a student has learned the material covered.
The purpose of this type of assessment is for:
- communicating achievement of the students to parents through the use of report cards;
- reporting to the school board through summary reports;
- reporting to Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth as required.
This is called summative assessment or Assessment “of” Learning.
The other type of assessment is used by teachers while they are teaching. The teachers monitor individual students, groups of students or the whole class to check if students are understanding what is being taught. The teacher then makes the necessary changes to help the students learn the concepts. The purpose of this type of assessment is to support student learning by:
- monitoring student progress;
- providing clear feedback to students as to how they can improve;
- adjusting teaching to meet the students’ needs.
This is called formative assessment or Assessment “for” learning.
Assessment celebrates the partnership of students, parents and teachers working together to support and celebrate student success.
HOW CAN YOU HELP AS A PARENT?
Parents are childrens’ first teachers. They continue to play a very important role when a child is in school.
Three important roles for parents are:
- Know what your child is expected to learn and actively support those learning activities and experiences.
- Work as part of a team with your child’s teacher and the school staff involved with your child.
- Communicate information which is important to your child’s learning.
Provincial Assessment Programs
Division Assessment Programs
- Comprehensive Assessment Program
- Grade 8 Common Exam
Reporting to Parents
