HomeMy WebLinkAboutMYP assessment for Communique 09-08-14 Dear MYP Parents,
We at Westlake Academy are proud to be an IB World School. An IB education is
universally recognized and highly sought after due to it inquiry based approach to
learning which is assessed through a rigorous set of standards and practices. The
International Baccalaureate Organization’s last MYP evaluation report on Westlake
Academy provided the school with a set of recommendations, which are required to be
put in place prior to our next visit. The process of reaccreditation with the IB begins
this semester. One of these recommendations included developing an efficient system
for recording data about student learning which is in keeping with the requirements of
the IB model.
Those requirements include the use of a criterion-related grading approach. Such an
approach represents a philosophy of assessment that is not “norm-referenced” (where
students must be compared to each other and to an expected distribution of achievement) but
focuses on assessing the individual student’s performance through IB mandated criteria.
MYP assessment requires teachers to assess subject objectives using the assessment
criteria for each subject group in each year of the programme. All MYP subjects have
four criteria and each one is divided into achievement levels (0-8). Each achievement
level has a corresponding description of student performance and all criteria are equally
weighted.
This year we will be reporting student achievement for each assessment criterion and
grades will be based on achievement levels in all of the criteria in each subject. We will
not be determining grades by averaging performance scores as done in the past nor will
we be using single pieces of work to determine final grades. Students and parents will
be able to view our criterion -referenced grade book through the new online curriculum
system called “ManageBac”. We plan to host a series of meetings with you and your
child over the next few weeks as we begin full implementation of the IB mandated
grading system.
General dates to mark on your calendar are:
Meeting Date Times
MYP Parent Meeting Overview 09-16 Parents can choose any of the sessions,
as they will be repeated in an effort to
allow flexibility of your schedule. Times
are: 11:00-12:00 or 1:30-2:30 or 5:00 -
6:00 Location: Performance Hall
MYP Open Times to visit with
MYP Coordinator
09-19 From 8:00-11:00 the MYP coordinator
will be available on the 3rd Floor in the
Secondary Building to answer individual
questions for parents
Students will begin receiving clarification on the IB grading system, how criterion related
grading is implemented and how to access the “MangeBac” system along with log in
notices as early as this week with full access to be completed by Sept. 26th. We look
forward to sharing with you the improved approach to our assessment practices and
procedures through the next few weeks. We believe you will find this approach to be
more meaningful in practice and will provide your child with more reflective feedback.
In partnership,
Kirsty Wilkinson Andra Barton, Ed.D.
MYP Coordinator MYP Principal