Maximising Student Success Through Quality Assessment

What is this thing called assessment and what is its purpose?

Griffin & Nix (1990) defined assessment as the process of observing, interpreting and making decisions about learning and intervention

Assessment as judgment is based on evidence with a focus on cognition. (Hager & Butler, 1994; Hager et al., 1994)

Task Design What makes a good assessment task?

Task Review Assessment Design Criteria Knowledge and understanding  Understanding of the nature, role, and structure of business and enterprise  Understanding of the factors involved in current trends, changes, opportunities, and issues affecting business and enterprise Analysis  Analysis of the economic, social, environmental, and ethical implications and consequences of business and enterprise practices in different contexts Communication  Use of conventions, vocabulary, and terminology appropriate to business and enterprise Does this task encourage students to show evidence of learning in the four specific features?

Task Review Knowledge and Understanding Analysis Communication A In-depth understanding of the nature, role, and structure of business and enterprise. Thorough knowledge of the functions, processes, and operations of business and enterprise. Clear, focussed, and well informed understanding of the factors involved in current trends, changes, opportunities, and issues affecting business and enterprise Astute analysis of the implications and consequences of business practices in a variety of contexts. Extensive use of conventions, vocabulary, and terminology appropriate to business and enterprise. B Well-informed understanding of the nature, role, and structure of business and enterprise. Well-considered analysis of the implications and consequences of business practices in different contexts. Sound use of conventions, vocabulary, and terminology appropriate to business and enterprise. C Informed understanding of the nature, role, and structure of business and enterprise. Informed understanding of the factors involved in current trends, changes, opportunities, and issues impacting on business and enterprise. Informed analysis of the implications and consequences of business practices in different contexts. Mostly correct use of conventions, vocabulary, and terminology appropriate to business and enterprise. D Basic awareness of the nature, role, and structure of business and enterprise. Basic awareness of some factors involved in current trends and issues impacting on business and enterprise. Description of the implications and consequences of business practices in context. Some use of conventions, vocabulary, and terminology appropriate to business and enterprise. E Limited awareness of the nature, role, or structure of business and enterprise. Limited awareness of one or two factors involved in current trends and issues impacting on business and enterprise. Limited description of the implications and consequences of business practices in context. Emerging use of conventions, vocabulary, and terminology appropriate to business and enterprise. How can this task be improved to provide opportunities for students to demonstrate evidence of learning at the highest possible level of achievement?

Task Review 5 th dot point Write or convey the information appropriately

Task Improvement Consider the ‘A’ grade descriptor for Communication: Consistent and clear use of conventions, vocabulary, and terminology appropriate to business and enterprise Improved task Write or convey the information using conventions, vocabulary, and terminology appropriate to business and enterprise Knowledge and Understanding AnalysisCommunicationApplication A In-depth understanding of the nature, role, and structure of business and enterprise. Thorough knowledge of the functions, processes, and operations of business and enterprise. Clear, focused, and well-informed understanding of the factors involved in current trends, changes, opportunities, and issues affecting business and enterprise. Astute and well-informed analysis of the economic, social, environmental, and ethical implications and consequences of business and enterprise practices in different contexts. Clear and coherent communication of information and ideas about business and enterprise to suit the purpose and audience. Consistent and clear use of conventions, vocabulary, and terminology appropriate to business and enterprise. Consistent and appropriate acknowledgment of a range of sources. Proactive and productive application of relevant business ideas, concepts, and practices. Well-organised and focused selection and use of relevant information from a range of sources. B Well-informed understanding of the nature, role, and structure of business and enterprise. Detailed knowledge of the functions, processes, and operations of business and enterprise. Well-informed understanding of the factors involved in current trends, changes, opportunities, and issues affecting business and enterprise. Well-considered and informed analysis of the economic, social, environmental, and ethical implications and consequences of business and enterprise practices in different contexts. Clear communication of information and ideas about business and enterprise to suit the purpose and audience. Mostly clear use of conventions, vocabulary, and terminology appropriate to business and enterprise. Mostly consistent and appropriate acknowledgment of a range of sources. Some proactive and mostly productive application of relevant business ideas, concepts, and practices. Well-organised selection and use of relevant information from a range of sources. C Informed understanding of the nature, role, and structure of business and enterprise. Knowledge of the essential functions, processes, and operations of business and enterprise. Informed understanding of the factors involved in current trends, changes, opportunities, and issues affecting business and enterprise. Informed analysis of the economic, social, environmental, and ethical implications and consequences of business and enterprise practices in different contexts. Competent communication of information and ideas about business and enterprise to suit the purpose and audience. Use of conventions, vocabulary, and terminology generally appropriate to business and enterprise. Mostly appropriate acknowledgment of different sources. Competent and generally productive application of relevant business ideas, concepts, and practices. Generally organised selection and use of mostly relevant information from different sources. D Awareness of the nature, role, and structure of business and enterprise. Identification of aspects of the essential functions, processes, and operations of business and enterprise. Awareness of some factors involved in current trends and issues affecting business and enterprise. Description of some basic economic, social, environmental, and/or ethical implications and consequences of business and/or enterprise practices in one or more contexts. Communication of some basic information and ideas about business and enterprise to suit the purpose and audience. Some inconsistent use of basic conventions, vocabulary, and terminology appropriate to business and enterprise. Some inconsistent acknowledgment of sources. Some endeavour to apply one or more relevant business ideas, concepts, and/or practices. Selection and some use of information from more than one source, with some relevance. E Emerging awareness of the nature, role, or structure of business and enterprise. Identification of one or more aspects of the essential functions, processes, and operations of business and enterprise. Limited awareness of one or two factors involved in current trends and issues affecting business and enterprise. Limited description of one or more basic economic, social, environmental, or ethical implications or consequences of business or enterprise practices in a familiar context. Limited communication of one or two basic ideas about business and enterprise to suit the purpose and audience. Emerging use of basic vocabulary and terminology with some relevance to business and enterprise. Limited acknowledgment of sources. Recognition of the need to apply relevant business ideas, concepts, and practices. Attempted use of information from one or more sources, which may have some relevance.

Identify and comment on a current trend in the economy on business and enterprise Identify and investigate the impact of a current trend in the economy on business and enterprise Task Improvement

Stage 2 Modern History Task

Summary Assessment tasks should: Elicit evidence of learning Allow for achievement at the range of grades, including the highest Provide choice for students (e.g. issues, topics, format of presentation) Be clear Have associated criteria and standards against which students will be assessed Meet subject outline specifications

Student success

Where to next ?

‘It is through classroom assessment that attitudes, skills, knowledge and thinking are fostered, nurtured, accelerated… …or stifled’ (Hynes, 1991)