We believe assessments provide teachers with timely information about individual student performance on a day-to-day basis. In the Lower Primary division, we have many ways of assessing student learning. Generally, we have two categories of assessments in Lower Primary: universal screeners (Reception 2-Grade 2) and classroom assessments based on our adopted standards (all grade levels).
Universal screeners in math and foundational reading are assessments that are administered to all students in Reception 2 - Grade 2 three times per year. These assessments support the school in checking the effectiveness of our programming in foundational reading and math skills. They generally help teachers see which students are ready for the grade-level curriculum and which students might need additional support in foundational reading or math.
Additionally, our Reception 1- Grade 2 classroom teachers collect student evidence of learning based on our adopted standards in English/language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, religious education, performing arts, visual arts, physical education, and Chinese studies. These pieces of evidence can include: written tests or work, skills observations, checklists, and/or student interviews, taking all the information together to determine next steps and grades for students.
Students are also central to the assessment process so that it is meaningful to them. We want to help students learn how to interpret and celebrate their own growth, while also identifying additional areas of growth. We believe all assessments should help our instructional planning, our communication with parents/guardians, and the evaluation of the effectiveness of our program, materials, and approaches.
