Page 158 - Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting in Ontario Schools. First Edition, Covering Grades 1 to 12. 2010

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GROWING SUCCESS | assessment, evaluation, and reporting in Ontario schools
portfolio. A collection of samples of student work that the student, with teacher support, carefully selects and adds to on an ongoing basis to track what the student has learned throughout the year. Both teachers and students assess the work in portfolios. Because students are asked to actively reflect on their learning in order to choose the samples that will go into the portfolio, a portfolio is an especially powerful self-assessment tool.
prior learning assessment and recognition (PLAR). A formal evaluation and credit-granting process whereby students may obtain credits for prior learning. The process involves two components: challenge and equivalency. There are two different PLAR processes: one for regular day school students and one for mature students. Each has slightly different requirements.
professional judgement. Judgement that is informed by professional knowledge of curriculum expectations, context, evidence of learning, methods of instruction and assessment, and the criteria and standards that indicate success in student learning. In professional practice, judgement involves a purposeful and systematic thinking process that evolves in terms of accuracy and insight with ongoing reflection and self-correction.
Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA). A large-scale international assessment developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) that reports every three years on the reading literacy, mathematical literacy, and scientific literacy of fifteen-year- old students.
Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS). A large-scale international assessment conducted every five years by the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement to assess the reading achievement of students in Grade 4.
provincial large-scale assessments. Standardized assessments developed and administered annually by the Education Quality and Accountability Office. Assessments include reading, writing, and mathematics in the Primary Division (Grades 1–3) and Junior Division (Grades 4–6); mathematics in Grade 9; and the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test.
provincial standard. Achievement of the expectations in a subject/course at level 3, as described in the achievement chart for the subject/discipline. Parents and teachers of students achieving at level 3 can be confident that their children will be prepared for work in subsequent grades/courses.
regular day school student. A student who is enrolled in a regular day school program. A student enrolled only in continuing education, e-learning, and/or distance learning is not considered a regular day school student.
GLOSSARY