A whole school approach to assessment and testing

by Mathilda Element, Pine teacher

Firstly, the process of assessment is seen as "gathering information". Evaluation is the process of reflecting on, or judging, the quality of that data (how well they have done it). From our perspective, assessment is ongoing, authentic and purposeful. Teachers, parents and students are constantly gathering information about what they are learning and what they can do. Evaluation in so far as reflection onwhat was learnt is important if it is done in a way that supports the child to go further and supports the teacher to plan experiences. Evaluation that is judgmental to the detriment of the child's self-esteem and learning abilities is not effective.

We believe that assessment and evaluation should

Pine Community School response to "Basic Skills Testing"

The NAPLAN (National Assessment Program - Literacy and Numeracy) tests are an initiative of the Commonwealth Government to replace the Years 3, 5 and 7 tests conducted by the Queensland Studies Authority.  NAPLAN is held annually in May.  2008 was the first year that these tests were held and included Year 9 in the program.
 
The administration of these tests is mandatory and Pine Community School offers students the opportunity to sit the tests on the allocated days.  Parents have the right to individually decline their child’s participation in the tests.
 
The tests are designed “to accommodate the assessment of students against national benchmark standards”  (NAPLAN - 3579 Test Preparation Handbook 2008).
 
Assessment is comparative and reported against the achievement of other students.
 
Our philosophy which is the backbone of our pedagogy is that our students learn in co-operative settings.  We value our students moving through the curriculum at their own pace which makes fitting our students into the year 3, 5 and 7 invalid.  We offer a student-centred learning environment.  Refer to Pine Community School Parent Handbook page 1 “Particular Aims”  No. 1. - “to provide an un-graded situation in which students may learn and progress at their own pace” and No. 3 - “to encourage co-operation rather than competition…………..”
 
Pine students grow in a learning environment which is inclusive of all learners.  They don’t necessarily see the teachers as all knowing and enjoy learning along side them.   The individual rate of learning might not correspond with the levels of the state primary school, however the school aims to develop the basic literacy and numeracy skills and cover the other areas defined in the Queensland Department of Education curriculum guidelines by the end of the student’s primary schooling.  (Page 4 Pine Community School Handbook).
 
At the beginning of 2002 a group of concerned teachers and parents from various alternate/democratic schools in NSW met to discuss the implications of the Commonwealth and State Governments’ policies regarding basic skills testing.
 
Key amongst the concerns was that such testing: