The District School Board of Niagara is committed to policies for assessment, evaluation, and reporting as outlined in the Ministry of Education’s document Growing Success – Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting in Ontario Schools (First Edition, Covering Grades 1 to 12) 2010.
The primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning. We support the Ministry of Education’s seven fundamental principles which provide the foundation for rich and challenging practice. Teachers have a leading role to play in the implementation of the seven fundamental principles and procedures that:
- Are fair, transparent, and equitable for all students
- Support all students, including those with special education needs, those who are learning the language of instruction (English or French), and those who are First Nation, Métis, or Inuit
- Are carefully planned to relate to the curriculum expectations and learning goals and, as much as possible, to the interests, learning styles and preferences, needs, and experiences of all students
- Are communicated clearly to students and parents/guardians at the beginning of the school year or course and at other appropriate points throughout the school year or course
- Are ongoing, varied in nature, and administered over a period of time to provide multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate the full range of their learning
- Provide ongoing descriptive feedback that is clear, specific, meaningful, and timely to support improved learning and achievement
- Develop students’ self-assessment skills to enable them to assess their own learning, set specific goals, and plan next steps for their learning