In our Middle School handbook,https://www.caj.ac.jp/info/index.php/Middle_School_Academic_Expectations#Assessment_policy , we have included our Assessment Policy. This policy focuses on how we assess students and what they know, using formative and summattive assesments, homework, ways in which we can communicate your child’s work, and the standardized testing we utilize in Middle school.
This entry in the Middle School handbook, can be found in the Academic Expectations link. In the Contents displayed after clicking on the Academic Expectations, you will find Assessment policy with the different subsections. I know that teachers sometimes can use “teacher language” and it is not always clear to others what is meant by these terms. Here we defined Formative Assessments and Summative Assessments. You may have seen these words used on the rubrics used by the teachers in our Learner Build program. There is also a description of our Homework Philosophy and Homework practice.
We basically use two ways to communicate your child’s progress, through Google Classroom, where you can see assignments that are due. Parents, you can become guardians of your child’s Google classroom so you receive a summary email each day or each week, depending on what you choose as an email notification. LearnerBuild is new program we just began using this semester. When you access learning build, you can see your child’s progress for each of the classes. One suggestion is if you are finding your child remains on Beginning for period of time or Progressing and there does not seem to be progression of learning, I would recommend contacting the teacher.
The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) is administered three times a year, usually in September, January and May. Reports are mailed home within weeks of the test completion. MAP is a tool that can inform teachers of areas that may need more attention or if students have not shown growth. Many times between the spring and fall testing times, students may not grow as much because of the summer break. It is encouraging when we see growth, however we monitor students if there is no growth during the school year. If you find that your child’s growth is not increasing, it may be a good time to have a conversation with the teacher.
For our English as an Additional Language (EAL) students, we administer the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) tests in November. These reports are also emailed home after we have received the results.
Anytime you may have questions about assessments or growth, I always encourage conversations between parents and students.
