Assessment in Stage 6

Assessment is the broad name for the collection and evaluation of evidence that demonstrates student learning. It is integral to learning and has multiple purposes. Formal assessment activities are those where all students in the course complete the assessment under the same conditions and marks and/or grades are awarded for the purposes of reporting.

Assessment:

• provides opportunities for teachers to gather evidence about student achievement in relation to syllabus outcomes

• enables students to demonstrate what they know and can do

• clarifies student understanding of concepts and promotes deeper understanding by way of feedback and further learning

• provides evidence that current understanding and skills are a suitable basis for future learning.

School-based formal assessment tasks should:

• be based on syllabus outcomes

• be a valid instrument for what they are designed to assess

• include criteria to clarify for students what aspects of learning are being assessed

• enable students to demonstrate their learning in a range of task types

• be reliable, measure what the task intends to assess, and provide accurate information on each student's achievement

• be free from bias and provide evidence that accurately represents a student's knowledge, understanding and skills

• enable students and teachers to use feedback effectively and reflect on the learning process

• be inclusive of and accessible for all students

• be part of an ongoing process where progress is monitored over time.