Assessment 2013 A Guide for Students and Parents These procedures make sure that all assessment of student work is accurate, valid and fair for everyone. 1. In the beginning… For each subject you will get a Course Outline that tells you
What will be taught. What will be assessed – which standards and how many credits they are worth. When and how the assessments will happen. How to keep a record of your results.
File this in a safe place with all your other NCEA material.
2. Assessments during the Year… Many standards will be assessed once only. All students must do the assessment task when it is timetabled. You cannot get a derived grade for an Internally Assessed Standard. You must complete the assessment task under the set conditions. Your school-based bench mark examinations prepare you for your final assessment in November. If something unexpected happens at the end of the year you might have to apply for a derived grade in the externally assessed standards. Your school-based bench mark examination results may be needed so it is important to take each assignment, test or exam seriously. For some standards there may be an opportunity to be reassessed or resit – check the Course Outline.
If you miss an assessment as a result of self-interest, eg family holiday or trip, you cannot resit it.
3. Further Assessment Opportunities Some standards may not allow you the chance of more than one assessment. These will be identified for you at the beginning of the course. If you are absent for more than 15 days in a subject you are not necessarily eligible for these delayed assessment opportunities. See your teacher.
4. Absences from school and delayed assessments If an Assessment Task is due in and you are absent. a) Get a parent, friend, or family member to hand your assignment into the school office (8:15 am – 4:00 pm) on the day it is due. b) If it is late no grade can be awarded.
If you are sick or have a family bereavement when an Assessment is timetabled. c) Get your parent or guardian to contact your subject teacher/HOD to ask for an opportunity for a delayed assessment. The letter or call must be within 5 school days of the assessment date and include: The reason why you were absent. That you knew you were missing an important assessment. A Doctors certificate or other evidence to support your request.
If you are away on a school trip when an Assessment is timetabled. d) Talk to your teacher/HOD about an opportunity to be assessed. This should be possible but you may only have one opportunity outside class time. You must make it a priority to complete the assessment.
REMEMBER If you have been absent for more than 15 days you may not be considered for a delayed assessment.
5. Authenticity - Showing that the work handed in is yours. Any assessment work completed must be your own. If your work is completed in class under test conditions then this is obvious. If the work is completed outside of class then you may be asked to Meet scheduled milestones during the process of completing your work. Sign an authenticity declaration Hand in any plans, rough drafts or log books or provide other information for your teacher that shows the work is your own.
In any case of a student Copying someone else’s work Copying from another source e.g. internet Lending work to another student (this includes lending via email, facebook or any other internet site) Then “not achieved” grade will be given to all students involved. Parents will be informed of any concerns to do with Assessment Procedures by the HOD or Deputy Principal in charge of Assessment (Ms Rowlands).
Any final decisions about grades will be made by the Deputy Principal in charge of Assessment in consultation with the HOD.
6. Appeals…Not happy with your Grade? If you are concerned with the way your work has been assessed then you can make an appeal. These steps must be followed in the time frame given. a) Ask your subject teacher about the assessment. You must do this no more than 5 school days from when you get your work back. b) Make an appeal to the subject Head of Department c) Speak to the Deputy Principal in charge of Assessment (Ms Rowlands). Make an appointment via the office. d) Write a letter to the Principal. You must have done this no more than 20 school days from when you get your work back.
7. Special Assessment Conditions Students who have a documented learning difficulty or long-term illness can apply for assistance from NZQA with completing assessment. Students and parents can contact the HOD of our Learning Centre (Mrs Mordue) to find out if they are likely to qualify for this assistance. You must make an application, complete with documentation from an Educational Psychologist or a similar specialist, early in the year in order to have the appropriate assistance. This assistance is only available at school once the application has been approved. NZQA must approve the special assessment conditions for the external examination assessment.
8. Handing in Assignment Work Students must submit their work to their classroom teacher. The expectation is that students will hand in their work for assessment in normal class time. Work should only be handed in at the office if the teacher is not at school or someone other than the student is handing in the work, assignment or project.
9. Derived Grade Applications – NZQA Examinations If a student is not able to sit an exam due to illness, bereavement or serious accident immediately prior to the examination period they can make an application for a derived grade through the school. This is done during the exam period of November to early December. Information about this process is given to students in the exam briefing that occurs immediately prior to the NZQA exams.
10. Verifying Grades It is important for students to check that their results have been recorded correctly. You must sign next to your grades on a printout of assessment results from the teacher to show that you agree the result has been accurately recorded. You will be asked to check that the final grades you have been awarded are correct before they are sent to NZQA.
11. What happens to your work?
Departments will have to keep assessed work to check for authenticity and to carry out moderation.
12. Parent concerns? If parents/guardians have any concerns about assessment they can contact the Deputy Principal in charge of Assessment (Ms. Rowlands) at the College during school hours: phone 07-578 811.
Students need to make sure that they
Understand the Assessment Outline and Procedures
Check that the assessment of their work is correct when it is returned to them.
Understand the requirements of each Assessment Task set.
Discuss and problems/concerns with the subject teacher or HOD.
Follow up any concerns with the Assessment Manager.
This is the normal flow of events for Assessment of Learning in the School.
Course Outline
Learning Being in class Participating in all set tasks Regularly reviewing your class work Asking questions
Assessment Task Know what to expect – BE PREPARED Completion date is set Task completed in class or submitted by the Due Date
Work is Assessed Teachers assess your work against the Standard Assessment is checked Work is returned.
Results are recorded and sent to NZQA
There are some times where this flow will be interrupted for some students. See the information under delayed assessment
Acknowledgement that the Assessment Guidelines have been read
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Acknowledgement that the Assessment Guidelines have been read Please return this tear off slip to your Tutor Teacher by Friday 15 March 2013
Student Name…………………………………
Tutor group…………….
Signed
(Student)……………………………………………… Date:
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Signed
(Parent) ……………………………………………… Date:
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