The process of teaching and learning in an IB school is enhanced by authentic assessment experiences. Student performance is measured against assessment criteria-specific achievement levels, which are assigned based on a student´s performance throughout a unit of inquiry. Assessment criteria reflect student knowledge and understanding, as well as the demonstration of skills.
Well-designed assessment tools at ISD are based on IB assessment principles and practice, which provide valuable information about learning, in order to advise students, teachers and parents about growth.
During our latest parent workshop, we aimed to give an insight into IB assessment principles and practices used at ISD. First, Ms. Rosie Fawcett, PYP coordinator and Mr. Loránd Zajta, MYP/DP coordinator, started a discussion about parents’ former experiences on their assessment in school. What were the positive and negative sides? How did they feel? How did it affect their performance?
It turned out that most parents had the experience that only knowledge was evaluated. The learning material had to be memorized, and the test happened at a given point in time, regardless of the circumstances, the individual’s abilities, or previous knowledge. The idea behind the IB assessment principles and practices is to use skills and understanding in order to activate knowledge in both familiar and unfamiliar situations.
Deep understanding = knowledge + skills to activate knowledge
‘Assessment AS Learning’: learners can continuously monitor their own performance throughout a unit of inquiry assessment, based on meaningful feedback.
‘Assessment FOR Learning’: teachers take into account students´ previous knowledge in order to design and efficiently deliver a unit of inquiry.
Later on, parents were tasked to assess a student’s work. They received the assessment criteria and the task-specific clarifications ISD teachers use, in order to assign the most appropriate achievement levels.
Assessment is an essential component of meaningful learning experiences that may lead to enhanced learning outcomes for ISD students. If students know from the beginning what is expected of them, they can work towards their learning goals with clarity.
