Student Learning

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Student Learning

The information in this section is reprinted from the student agenda that is distributed to all elementary students in the Simcoe County District School Board.

Assessment

Assessment is the process of gathering, from a variety of sources, information that accurately reflects how well a student is achieving the curriculum expectations in a subject or course through learning goals. Assessment for learning and assessment as learning are ongoing with the purpose of collecting and interpreting evidence at different points in time to determine where students are in their learning, where they need to go next and how best to get there. Assessment of learning is the process of collecting and interpreting evidence at the end of a learning cycle to assign a mark/grade based on the student’s demonstration of the learning goals. Teachers use assessment information to inform instruction.

Reporting

Elementary school progress reports are sent home in November with a focus on learning skills and work habits. Report cards are sent home in February and June. In addition, student/ teacher/parent conferences are held in the fall.

Secondary school progress reports are provided in October and March prior to student/teacher/parent conferences, with midterm reports in November and April and final reports prepared in February and July.

Learning skills and work habits Grades 1-12 are reported separately to provide information about student performance. Interviews to discuss progress may be arranged at any time in the school year.

For more information about reporting, please visit: www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/policyfunding/growSuccess.pdf

Portfolios

Portfolios are used to demonstrate growth and progress over time; assist with awareness of interests, strengths, needs, and aspirations; include pieces of work that demonstrate best efforts, progress, and achievement, both inside and outside school; are used to help make informed and realistic decisions about personal, educational and career goals; and, are intended to actively include students in reflecting on and sharing their strengths, experiences and setting goals.

Homework

SCDSB Policy 4106, Homework: Activities to Support Student Learning, establishes that homework is:
1) assigned in a purposefully planned manner directly related to classroom instruction and the Ontario Curriculum expectations;
2) an engaging and relevant learning activity that can be independently completed by the student;
3) differentiated by student strength and needs;
4) inclusive of meaningful teacher feedback; and,
5) sensitive to scheduled holidays and days of significance.

SCDSB policies are posted at: http://scdsb.on.ca/board-highlights/policies/

Provincial Assessments

Assessments are developed and scored by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO). Each student who completes a provincial assessment receives an Individual Student Report (ISR) which outlines the student's overall achievement. School and board achievement data are used to improve teaching practices and to support student learning. Each school develops a school plan that focuses on strategies to promote successful learning and encourages students to be actively involved in their learning. School-by-school results are available at www.eqao.com.

Grades	Assessment	When (2011 - 2012)	Individual, School and Board Reports
Grades 3 and 6	Primary & Junior Assessment of Reading, Writing & Math	May 23-June 6	Available in the fall
Grade 9	Assessment of Mathematics	Semester 1: Jan 5-27 Semester 2: May 31-June15	Available in the fall
Grade 10	Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) assesses reading and writing skills. The OSSLT is one of the requirements for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. www.eqao.com	March 29	Available in June. Report indicates whether or not the student successfully completed the assessment. Candidates who are unsuccessful will receive suggestions for improvement. Principals have the discretion to allow students to enroll in the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OSSLC) before they have a second opportunity to take the test, if the principal determines that it is in the best educational interests of the student (Ministry of Education Policy/Program Memorandum 127). The OSSLC is a full-credit, non-compulsory Grade 12 course that is offered as part of the English program. Students who successfully complete the OSSLT or the OSSLC have met the literacy requirements for graduation.

First Nation, Métis and Inuit Ancestry: Voluntary, Confidential Self Identification

Are you of First Nation, Métis or Inuit Ancestry? If so, you are invited to participate in our Voluntary, Confidential Self Identification process. The SCDSB is collecting First Nation, Métis and Inuit Self Identification data to support student achievement, reduce gaps in student achievement and promote high levels of public confidence. Disclosing First Nation, Métis and Inuit ancestry is completely voluntary and confidential and NO proof of ancestry is required. Information collected is used to inform program planning that is relevant for First Nation, Métis and Inuit learners. Please contact your school office if you wish to self identify.

Student Success

The SCDSB has established strategies in Grades 7-12 that focus on the acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills and enhance learning opportunities for all students. Student Success teams work together to ensure smooth transitions for students from elementary to secondary school, between grades and after graduation. Programs such as Specialist High Skills Majors (SHSMs) are designed to prepare students for sector specific career destinations. Job related career awareness activities and experiential learning opportunities are explored in Grades 7-12 and opportunities for more in-depth exploration through Co-operative Education Programs are built into the program in Grades 11 and 12. Dual credit courses enable students to gain a secondary school credit while completing a college course and earning college credit. The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) allows students in trades related cooperative education placements to begin working towards apprenticeship requirements. Well planned and focused pathways enable students to develop the skills required for their postsecondary destination. More information about student success initiatives is available at http://scdsb.on.ca/student-street/student-success/.

Community Involvement Hours

Since 1999, one of the requirements for graduation with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma has been the completion of a minimum of 40 hours of community involvement activities. The aim of this requirement is to encourage students to develop both civic responsibility and a desire to play a role in strengthening their community. As of July 1, 2011 students are permitted to begin accumulating community involvement hours in the summer before they enter Grade 9. For a list of eligible and ineligible activities and for the form that is to be used to document community involvement activities, please visit http://scdsb.on.ca/student-street/community-involvement/.

Special Education

For information about Special Education programs and services, and the Special Education Advisory Committee, please visit our web site at www.scdsb.on.ca and select Programs and Services, or call 705-734-6363, ext. 11246. Our Special Education Report (available on our website) provides information about the Identification, Placement and Review Committee process, Individual Education Plans, programs and services for exceptional pupils, and contact numbers for members of the Special Education Advisory Committee.