FAQS+-+ASSESSMENT

=ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION IN MATH & SCIENCE=

Assessment and evaluation in Science is based on the provincial curriculum expectations and achievement levels. On the mid-term and final report cards, a percentage grade is used to represent the quality of a student's overall achievement of the ministry expectations and reflects the corresponding level of achievement in that course. Level 3 (70-79%) is the provincial standard and indicates that the student is well prepared to continue their studies at the next grade level.

ASSESSMENT
"Assessment is the process of gathering information from a variety of sources that accurately reflects how well a student is achieving the curriculum expectations in a course" (Source: Program Planning and Assessment, The Ontario Curriculum Grades 9 to 12, p.13). In order to assess a student's progress throughout the semester, each unit of study will include **//diagnostic//** //(assessment for learning)//, **//formative//** //(assessment as learning)//, **//summative//** //(assessment of learning)//, and **//culminating//** activities.
 * __Diagnostic__: These in-class activities give each student the opportunity to demonstrate what they already know about the topics to be studied. They will not count towards the final grade.
 * __Formative__: These in-class assignments give each student the opportunity to practice and master the material and skills required to succeed in the course. They will not count towards the final grade.
 * __Summative__: These assignments give each student the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned during each unit. They will count towards the final grade.
 * __Culminating__: These assignments are designed to provide each student with hands-on opportunities to demonstrate their learning in an independent or small group setting. These assignments also provide each student with opportunities to draw upon a wide range of knowledge and skill sets. They will count towards the final grade.

EVALUATION
"Evaluation refers to the process of judging the quality of student work on the basis of established criteria, and assigning a value [or mark] to represent that quality" (Source: Program Planning and Assessment, The Ontario Curriculum Grades 9 to 12, p.13). A student's final mark in Science represents their achievement throughout the term (Term Work - 70%) and as demonstrated via course culminating activites (Final Evaluations - 30%). Evaluations in Science are based on the four broad based categories of **//knowledge & understanding//**, **//thinking & investigation//**, **//communication//**, and **//application//**.