English – Assessing
Assessment Principles Mandated Materials icon
The assessment principles were informed by the most recent research into best practice in assessment and the impact of assessment in improving student learning.
The overview of research provides further support to teachers in reflecting on their own assessment practices.
Learn more about Assessment Principles
Ways of assessing Support Materials
The Ways of assessing complement Ways of teaching and aim to support teachers in developing effective assessment practices in the English learning area.
Judging Standards Support Materials
Judging standards is a tool to support teachers when reporting against the achievement standards for each year of schooling; when giving assessment feedback; and when explaining the differences between one student's achievement and another's. The achievement standard describes an expected level that the majority of students are achieving or working towards by the end of that year of schooling. Some students will have progressed beyond the achievement standard; others will need additional support. The expected standard for each year is described as 'C' or Satisfactory.
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Assessment Activities Support Materials
The sample assessment activities exemplify a broad range of strategies teachers employ to obtain information about their students' skills and understandings, and range from asking questions during a lesson to giving a formal standardised assessment. The activities reflect the Principles of Assessment and the assessment strategies outlined in the Ways of Assessing section in each Phase 2 and 3 syllabus.
A sample marking key has been provided with many of the tasks. These keys vary in their format according to the years of schooling and the assessment strategy, and should be developed by teachers at the same time the assessment activity is being developed. The summative marking keys are detailed and can be used at the end of a teaching cycle to provide additional evidence for reporting purposes. The marking keys:
- help to ensure a consistent interpretation of the criteria that guide the teacher's judgement
- provide the basis for feedback to students, and
- enable the fair and valid ranking of student achievement.
The assessment activity and marking key formats are not prescriptive.