Page 23 - The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 and 10: The Arts, 2010

BASIC CONSIDERATIONS
Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation, and Reporting in Ontario Schools, First Edition, Covering Grades 1 to 12, 2010 sets out the Ministry of Education’s assessment, evaluation, and reporting policy. The policy aims to maintain high standards, improve student learning, and benefit students, parents, and teachers in elementary and secondary schools across the province. Successful implementation of this policy depends on the professional judgement of educators at all levels as well as on educators’ ability to work together and to build trust and confidence among parents and students.
A brief summary of some major aspects of the assessment, evaluation, and reporting policy that relate to secondary schools is given below. Teachers should refer to the Growing Success document for more information.
Fundamental Principles
The primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning.
The following seven fundamental principles lay the foundation for rich and challenging practice. When these principles are fully understood and observed by all teachers, they will guide the collection of meaningful information that will help inform instructional decisions, promote student engagement, and improve student learning.
To ensure that assessment, evaluation, and reporting are valid and reliable, and that they lead to the improvement of learning for all students, teachers use practices and procedures that:
• are fair, transparent, and equitable for all students;
• support all students, including those with special education needs, those who are learning the language of instruction (English or French), and those who are First Nation, Métis, or Inuit;
• are carefully planned to relate to the curriculum expectations and learning goals and, as much as possible, to the interests, learning styles and preferences, needs, and experiences of all students;
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ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT