Elementary Assessment Fact Sheet

Assessment in  Winnipeg School Division (WSD) is an integral part of learning and teaching. It helps provide a picture of a student's progress and achievements and identify the next steps in learning.

WSD Elementary Assessment Processes (Grades 1 to 6)

The elementary assessment processes are designed by WSD staff to support  classroom teachers in gathering clear and consistent information about how each student is performing in relation to selected Manitoba Education learning outcomes.

The assessment information is gathered during the regular teaching process. The assessments support learning by focussing on the process of students moving from where they are in their learning towards desired goals.  WSD assessment processes are designed to be formative in nature.

"For assessment to function formatively, the results have to be used to adjust teaching and learning." (Black and Wiliam)

Gathering data- teachers use WSD common assessment processes to establish a baseline picture of student achievement.

• Assessment data gathered is entered on line by the teacher by Oct. 31 of each year.
• WSD provides teachers with consistent tools and expectations for administration.
• The tools provided support the on-going assessment of student performance that takes place in the classroom during the school year. Student learning growth information is tracked by the classroom teacher and updated each term.
• Consistent scoring is ensured through moderated processes. Working with others, staff engage in the moderation process and reach consensus.

Moderation...is the term used to describe approaches for arriving at a shared understanding of standards and expectations for the target areas.

Importance of consistent judgements

The processes of moderation are robust and rigorous and provide confidence in teachers' judgements.

Moderation

• Provides the opportunity for teachers to collaborate and participate in professional dialogue and collaborative work.
• Ensures fairness for all students and is open and transparent.
• Provides staff with confidence in their ability to make judgements.
• Allows for the development of shared understandings that enhance classroom practice and support alignment of curriculum and assessment.
• Helps staff support improvements for learners.

Next steps:

Classroom:

• Teacher and student discuss data and samples to build knowledge of student learning.
• Teacher and student set learning goals. Goals are shared with parents.
• Evidence of progress towards goals set and provincial expectations is gathered on an on-going basis by the teacher and student.
• The ongoing evidence collected is used to support the teacher in making professional judgements about progress
• Each school has a process in place to check that teachers are making consistent professional judgements. WSD has provided an outline for schools to use in their moderation processes.
• Progress towards provincial expectations is reported to parents through the Manitoba report card and student parent conferences. New goals are set and shared at this time.

School division: Student data collected

• Assists schools and WSD in determining areas where additional support and/or professional development may be required.
• Has allowed for improved discussions between teachers and parents about children's learning.
• Provides learning progress information to schools and the division within the school year.

Historical Information

• CAP was initially introduced in all elementary schools in the Winnipeg School Division in the 2000-01 school year for Nursery to Grade 3 students. It was developed in response to parent and public demand for accountability.
• Since the 1999-2000 school year when the program was piloted in 20 schools, there has been an annual review of the process and the assessment tasks. Changes have been made each year based on feedback from teachers, principals, consultants and the most up-to-date research on assessment and learning.
• In 2010, a new process for mathematics assessment and instruction was piloted WSD-wide. It is now in place in all schools.
• In 2012 a new process for English language arts assessment and instruction was piloted.

Review process

•  Winnipeg School Division reviews the Elementary Assessment process and assessment tasks annually.
• Changes have been made based on the most up-to-date research on assessment and learning feedback from teachers, principals, consultants and.

Winnipeg School Division staff representatives meet with the Winnipeg Teachers' Association three times/year to discuss and review changes and clarify expectations.