Warialda Public School Updated March 2000
PUPIL ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING TO PARENTS

This page will be updated in 2006 to reflect Departmental changes.

RATIONALE
• Children’s progress should be regularly assessed so that teachers’ programs can reflect the on-going needs of pupils.

• Parents are entitled to be fully and honestly informed of each child’s progress at regular intervals.

• Pupils need to have feed-back on how they are achieving educational goals.

• Pupil effort is a worthwhile component of any assessment proces.

• The emphasis during the processes of assessment and reporting should be on maintaining professional honesty and integrity whilst protecting the dignity and aspirations of both parents and pupils in the belief that each child will maximinise his/her ability whilst he/she retains a love of learning through success.

• Assessment should focus on all aspects of the child’s education with equal importance attached to each subject.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TEACHERS
• Teachers will maintain cumulative records of assessment in all subject areas. Early identification of areas of difficulty and subsequent contact are essential.

• The purpose of testing will be to analyse areas of strength and weakness as opposed to ranking children.

• The dignity and aspirations of each child will be protected in the assessment process through an emphasis on showing what the children can do rather than what they cannot do.

• Teachers will implement comprehensive assessments at the end of each semester according to the procedures outlined in this policy.

• Interviews with parents will be arranged at the end of each semester.

• Teachers will have information available for parents at the interviews according to the recommendations outlined in the policy.

• During the reporting process teachers will strike a balance between professional honesty and integrity, and sensitiivity to each child’s needs, so that the efforts of the home and school are coordinated in the best interests of the children.

• Records of assessments and interviews should be made available to teachers from one year to the next.

• Teachers should be aware of the availability of outside agencies to assist with follow-up to assessments.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PUPILS
• Pupils’ work will be regularly assessed in all subject areas.
• Pupils will be regularly informed of their progress.
• Pupil effort will be recognised.
• Children will be assessed across the curriculum at the end of each semester.
• Children will have their dignity and aspirations protected during the assessment process.
• Excellent achievement and effort will be recognised.
• Pupils will be responsible for maintaining effort and achievement throughout the whole year.


IMPLICATIONS FOR PARENTS
• Parents will be informed of the policy and procedures for Pupil Assessment and Reporting.

• Parents will be requested to arrange an interview at the end of each semester.

• Parents support for the ideals and goals of the school will be sought through School Development Days, Information Evenings, P and C Meetings and School Bulletins so that the assessment and reporting process can be effectively followed up in the home.

• A climate of mutual trust between school and home will be fostered in the best of interests of each child’s education.

• Parental assistance will be requested for pupils experiencing difficulties in class work and those requiring extension activities.

ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING PROCEDURES

INTRODUCTION
The following procedures were developed in response to an intensive evaluation of the assessment and reporting processes of the school in 1997. The evaluation involved a School Development Day where the ideals, philosophy and vision of the school were matched with the expressed desires and needs of parents. A parent committee was formed to propose an acceptable set of procedures based on their expressed desires and needs. This proposal was discussed by staff and, at a joint meeting of parents and teachers, the following set of procedures was agreed upon.

PROCEDURES

GENERAL
• Teachers will prepare a comprehensive report on each child, according to the guidelines, at the end of each semester.

• Report forms will be forwarded to parents no later than the second last week of each semester.

• Parents will be contacted to arrange a time for an interview.

SEMESTER ONE
• Teachers will complete assessments in the following areas:

MATHEMATICS - Class-based tests in the areas of Numeration, Space and Measurement, together with anecdotal notes.

WRITING - Children will complete a writing task during the assessment period. The product will be retained for discussion during the Parent - Teacher interview, together with anecdotal notes on conferencing and output.

READING - Based on an oral reading exercise, a class-based comprehension / cloze passage and anecdotal records on attitude and effort.
The Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) Test


HANDWRITING - An exercise based upon transcribing a passage in Foundation style, to be retained for the Parent - Teacher interview.

SPELLING - Based on word lists given and anecdotal records. Westwood Spelling test is to be given.