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Formal assessment at Rockhampton State High School is an integral but not a dominant part of the teaching/learning process. It involves collating judgements from a number of sources to produce a summative statement of achievement in each subject. It is seen as a continuous process where information is regularly updated.
Through this process we maintain a manageable yet progressive assessment program by:
- emphasising the developmental nature of assessment;
- minimising the time spent on formal assessment;
- using a wide range of assessment techniques to achieve desired learning outcomes;
- sharing and challenging methods and instruments of assessment with colleagues
- disclosing all relevant information to students and ensuring that quality control takes place at all stages.
This means that a student’s final rating in any subject will be based on a range of assessment tasks (including assignments, oral presentations, practical submissions and class tests) undertaken at various points throughout the course. Students will therefore need to plan and organise the time carefully so that all assessment commitments can be met.
Subject teachers, Form Teachers, Heads of Department and the Guidance Officer are available to assist students. A calendar of all assessment dates for the Senior School will be issued at the start of each semester. This calendar should be used as a basis for planning. Occasionally, specific circumstances will mean that dates will need to be changed. This will be negotiated by the class and class teacher, and confirmed by the relevant Head of Department. Some subjects include assessments for which it is not possible to specify a due date at the beginning of semester. Class teachers will notify students at least 2 weeks in advance when this is the case.
Teacher judgements about student responses to assessment instruments are made using the standards associated with the exit criteria from the relevant syllabus or Study Area Specification.
Results of all assessment tasks are recorded on a student profile, and, where appropriate, assessment tasks are filed in a student folio. These are available for parent and student perusal on request.
In cases where coverage of the full range of general objectives has not been achieved, the Education (QSA) Regulation 2002 will be applied and students may not be awarded semester units in which there is insufficient coverage or inadequate assessment. When a result is awarded, the number of semesters credited to a student’s course of study is at the Principal’s discretion.
Assignments
School Responsibilities
- Provide students and parents with a calendar of assignment dates for Year 11 and 12.
- Provide standardised written formats for:
· Letters to parents/carers about non-completion of assignment work
· Student application forms for extension/exemption.
Teacher Responsibilities
Provide students with the following information:
· A task sheet (to be attached to the assignment) which outlines specific requirements of the assignment:
ü Objectives/purpose
ü length, structure, method of presentation
ü contribution to overall assessment – formative/summative
ü assessment criteria and the standards required for a specific level of achievement
ü dates for presentation of drafts and final copy.
ü name of department and teacher
ü last day for application for extension (must be a minimum of 2 school days before due date)
ü student declaration
· Teach the processes required in order to complete assignments
· Provide information about resources and how to access them
· Allow sufficient in-class time for assignment work to ensure completion of draft copies and final copy
· Accommodate the needs of students with disabilities and with learning difficulties (as per QSA Policy on Special Provisions for School-based Assessments in Authority and Authority-registered Subjects - 2009)
· Inform parents about the non-completion of draft and final assignment work through standardised procedures
· Ensure that procedures are in place to prevent plagiarism
· Accurately record student submission of assignment work
· Provide the student with constructive feedback on draft work
· In cases of late or non-submission of student response to assessment instruments, the teacher will make a judgement based on evidence available on or before the due date.
· Aim to mark and return the final assignment for student viewing within 2 weeks after the submission date.
· Make judgements of student responses to assessment instruments based on the match between the evidence and the standards descriptors outlined in the relevant syllabus or Study Area Specification.
Student Responsibilities
· Present drafts and the final copy of the assignment by the due dates.
· Present only your work for assignments.
· Make full use of class time provided to work on assignments.
· Inform the teacher of any difficulties that might be adversely affecting progress in the preparation of assignment work.
· Provide a bibliography or record of references
· Complete the Student Declaration – a written statement in which all sources of information are acknowledged
Submission Dates
Draft and final copies must be submitted to the relevant class teacher at the beginning of the lesson on the date when the work is due. This date will be clearly indicated on the criteria sheet.
Assignment Extensions or Exemption
An extension or exemption can only be granted in the following situations.
- Illness
- Extenuating personal or family circumstances.
Procedures for Applying for an Extension/Exemption
- An application form, available from staff rooms, the General Office and the library is to be completed by the student and signed by the parent.
- Application form must have medical documentation for long term illness or other relevant documentation attached.
- The form must be submitted to the teacher at least two days before the due date of the assignment work.
- The relevant Head of Department has the authority to grant an extension/exemption. The HOD will notify the parent and the student about the success or otherwise of the application and provide reasons for the decision. A copy of the application form will be sent home with the student and a copy will be posted to the parents.
NOTE. If there is last minute computer failure that prevents the submission of assignment work on the due date, a phone call from parents to the relevant teacher or HOD on the submission date is required. The student must submit all draft work on the submission date. The relevant teacher or HOD will negotiate a new submission date with the student.
Absence on submission day due to illness or extenuating circumstance
If the student is absent or can verify some other extenuating circumstance on the due date of assignment work, the procedures are as follows:
- Send assignment to school with a friend or relative and deliver it to the General Office. The person delivering the assignment must obtain a receipt from the General Office.
- Parent to contact the Head of Department on the due date to explain the situation.
- Student to submit the assignment on the day of return, along with relevant documentation – note from parents and/or medical certificate to explain the medical situation or extenuating circumstance(s).
Absent on submission day without valid reason.
- Relevant HOD or person appointed by HOD to contact parents by phone. If parents cannot be contacted by phone, the standardised letter for the non-completion of the work (available from the General Office) is to be completed and posted.
- Students who do not have a valid reason for being absent on the due date for the submission of the final assignment, will receive a rating based on draft work completed or other evidence collected prior to the due date (eg research notes, diary, notebook, rehearsal notes, teacher observations – HPE). The teacher will apply the standards descriptors outlined in the relevant syllabus or Study Area Specification to the evidence to arrive at a rating.
- If there is insufficient draft work or other evidence the student will not be rated for that assessment item. This may affect the student’s achievement of a full semester of credit for that subject.
- For senior students, total performance profile of student obtained by HOD.
- HOD to organize interview with parents and student if the profile is unsatisfactory and to commence formal monitoring procedures for unsatisfactory performance.
- Support provided according to situation and needs.
- If student’s performance continues to be unsatisfactory, enrolment may be cancelled.
Late submission of Assignment – no valid reason
- If a student submits an assignment after the due date without a valid reason, the assignment will not be rated and will not be included in the student’s folio of work.
Non-submission of Assignment – no absence and no valid reason
- On due date, students will be required to complete assignment work during the class time.
- If the teacher is not satisfied with the amount of work completed, the student will be directed to the relevant HOD.
- The HOD will organise for the student to complete the work on the day.
- The student will be rated on the work completed on the day or alternatively, work completed prior to the due date (eg research notes, diary, notebook).
- If there is insufficient work completed on the day and no other evidence, the student will not be rated for that assessment item. This may affect the student’s achievement of a full semester of credit for that subject.
Years 8-10 Students who do not submit work
- Relevant HOD or person appointed by HOD to contact parents by phone. If parents cannot be contacted by phone, the standardised letter for the non-completion of the work (available from the General Office) is to be completed and posted.
- Intervention strategies involving HOD and the classroom teacher to be devised to address student performance issues.
Plagiarism - Procedures for dealing with plagiarism
- Total plagiarism – Student does not receive a rating. NR is recorded
- Partial plagiarism – Only student’s work is marked
- Unable to discern what has been plagiarised. Use professional judgement. Student will be required to produce the work in class time on the day the assignment work is due. HOD to organize supervision where required.
- HOD to inform parents about the situation.
Oral Presentations
- Students should regard oral presentations with the same level of importance as written assessment. Due dates for oral presentations should be strictly adhered to.
- If students are working individually, they are expected to present their oral on the due date. If they are absent on the due date, then contact must be made with the relevant teacher or Head of Department on the day the oral presentation is due to discuss their absence and to organize an alternative date to complete the assessment. If there is no valid reason, the student will not receive a rating for the oral task unless they can be rated on evidence collect prior to the due date (eg rehearsal notes, teacher observation notes)
- If students are working in groups, and one or more of the group members is absent, the rest of the group is still expected to perform on the due date. Students who are absent should ensure that contact is made with the relevant teacher or Head of Department on the day the oral presentation is due to discuss their absence and to organize an alternative date to complete the assessment. If there is no valid reason, the student will not receive a rating for the oral task unless they can be rated on evidence collect prior to the due date (eg rehearsal notes, teacher observation notes)
- If a student is absent on the day an oral presentation is due and fails to make contact with the relevant teacher or Head of Department, they will not be given an opportunity to complete this assessment task. The student will be marked on evidence collected prior to the due date (eg rehearsal notes, teacher observation notes)
Tests
Absence on test day due to illness or extenuating circumstance
- Parents should contact the General Office by phone to explain the situation.
- Student is to complete the test on the first day back at school.
- Student is to provide a note from guardian or a medical certificate for long term illness.
Absent on test day without valid reason.
- Relevant HOD or person appointed by HOD to contact parents by phone. If parents cannot be contacted by phone, the standardised letter for the non-completion of the work (available from the General Office) is to be completed and posted.
- Students who do not have a valid reason for being absent on the test date will not receive a rating for that assessment item and will not be required to complete the test.
- For senior students, total performance profile of student obtained by HOD.
- HOD to organize interview with parents and student if the profile is unsatisfactory and to commence formal monitoring procedures for unsatisfactory performance.
- Support provided according to situation and needs.
- If student’s performance continues to be unsatisfactory, enrolment may be cancelled.
Years 8 – 10 Students who are absent on test days without a valid reason
- Relevant HOD or person appointed by HOD to contact parents by phone. If parents cannot be contacted by phone, the standardised letter for the non-completion of the work (available from the General Office) is to be completed and posted.
- Intervention strategies involving HOD and the classroom teacher to be devised to address student performance issues.
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