Scoil Mhuire Moylagh Moylagh Oldcastle Co. Meath
Telephone: 049 8541738
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Assessment Policy.
Scoil Mhuire Moylagh.
This draft policy was formulated by the staff of Moylagh N.S. following a school development planning day with a facilitator in March 2003.
Rationale.
We have decided to formulate a whole school plan at this time in order that pupils would benefit from the development and implementation of a co-ordinated programme of assessment.
Vision Statement.
In Moylagh National School we are committed to the holistic development of all pupils in order to assist them to contribute and play a fulfilling role in their own community. We see the ongoing and co-ordinated assessment of the pupils progress as being of great importance in order that the teachers to the best of their ability would be able to organise a programme of work that best suits the needs of the individual child.
General Aims.
- To monitor the ongoing progress of each pupil.
- In order to recognise when a pupil might need help or further assessment.
- To recognise high achievers.
- In order to make parents aware of their child’s strengths and weaknesses.
Content.
1. Teacher observation:
Checking learning – What they have achieved in accordance with ability (IQ) to learn.
Look at problems we can work on.
2. Homework:
In order to know where the child is “at” now and how best to help child based on individual needs in
order to know where to go from here.
3. Work Samples:
Only keep while the child has problem in that area or while child is in your classroom. Pass on information verbally.
Show samples to parent to highlight problem area.
4. Portfolios:
Folder to be kept in the classroom.
Criteria: Content to include samples of work. Individual sheets.
Look back to see progress of work.
1st – 6th: 2 folders. One of which is stored by individual teacher in the classroom.
This folder is given to the child at the end of the year. Per term in Infants.
- Projects:
Unique to individual classes. See class teacher.
6. Pupil Self Assessment:
Review work – Check spelling ( creative writing )
Visual arts talk about picture.
Writing process at senior level. See also peer editing check list.
Self assessment will be used in order to foster both verbal and non verbal reflection.
7. Teacher Designed Tasks and Tests:
Used to monitor progress (on a regular basis) in an area covered
Used where teacher sees appropriate – used as checklist.
Tests go home.
Teacher keeps record of results in child’s class file.
General conclusion based on test results to be passed on at year’s end.
8. Teacher – Pupil Conferences:
Ongoing as appropriate. No written record necessary. Informal.
- Curriculum Profiles:
To allow for maintaining a comprehensive and continuous record of each pupils achievement.
To be used to synthesising information from both informal and formal assessment.
(a) Skills to be developed.
See curriculum books.
Go through each subject.
(b) Oral communication.
(c) Written down - Stand. Tests – Maths
English.
- Average spelling/tables %.
N.B. Principal orally updates on sensitive issues to new members of staff and existing members of staff.
(d)Comment on major difficulties in Curriculum areas.
(e)Comment on oral language/gaeilge.
(f)Only write with regard to difficulties or particular talents in particular subject areas.
- Diagnostic Tests:
Tests constructed to show the finer details of the difficulties experienced by children.
N.R.I.T. test to be administered from first class by class teacher upwards in first year and thereafter in first class in first or second term.
Learning support will do diagnostic tests.
Learning support teacher administers tests at end of senior infants.
Learning support should test and review every 10 weeks. In order to determine whether a child can be dropped from caseload.
Results will determine inclusion of child in learning support caseload.
Psychological Assessment
Criteria as set out by N.E.P.S.
-Could be initiated by parent or by school.
-Teacher consultation: children with difficulties identified based on teacher observations.
11. Standardised Tests:
In order to provide an objective view of a child’s achievements.
To provide information about a child’s performance in relation to the performance of other pupils at the same age or class level.
-Reading; Micra T. Result to be recorded.
-To be administered in accordance with test guidelines.
Roles and Responsibility
Each pupil will have an individual file which will be kept by the class teacher.
The file will move from class to class with the pupil.
If a teacher felt it necessary samples of work would be included if certain goals had not been achieved.
Class Teacher : Administer tests
Record Results.
Add results to pupils file.
Communicate with other teachers and parents.
Pass on pupils file.
Incidental communication with other teachers.
Learning Support Teacher: Administer diagnostic tests.
Record Results.
Communicate results to class teacher.
Resource Teacher: Monitor progress of pupils.
Communicate with class teacher.
Communication to parents:
If a pupil has a particular problem the parent will be informed.
If a parent sees a problem they should ring and make an appointment to see the teacher.
File will be made available on appointment only. A parent has no right to walk in and demand to see a chill’s records without first making an appointment.
Tests should be sent home to be signed.
Homework should be signed by parent. See Homework policy.
Parent teacher meetings will be held every 2 years.
Pupils file will be held for 2 years after pupil leaves the school and then destroyed.
Review:
The policy should be added to the staff meeting agenda every 2 years.