Page 159 - Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting in Ontario Schools. First Edition, Covering Grades 1 to 12. 2010

GLOSSARY
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reliability. The degree to which an assessment or evaluation is consistent and stable in measuring what it is intended to measure. An assessment or evaluation is considered reliable when the same results occur regardless of when or where the assessment or evaluation occurs or who
does the scoring.
rich performance task. An authentic activity, exercise, problem, or challenge that requires students to show what they know and what they can do. Performance tasks lead students to demonstrate their understanding by applying knowledge and skills to real-life situations or scenarios. Performance tasks usually address all four categories of the achievement chart and multiple overall curriculum expectations and provide flexibility in how students can demonstrate their learning.
rubric. A scale that uses brief statements based on the criteria provided in the achievement chart and expressed in language meaningful to students to describe the levels of achievement of a process, product, or performance.
scaffolding. An instructional approach that involves breaking down tasks so that students can con- centrate on specific, manageable objectives and gradually build understanding and skill, with the aid of modelling by the teacher and ample opportunity for practice. Scaffolding provides students with a supportive structure within which to learn.
school improvement plan. A “road map” that sets out the changes a school needs to make to improve the level of student achievement, and how and when these changes will be made.
school year. The period between September 1 and June 30. It must include a minimum of 194 school days.
secondary school literacy graduation requirement. One of the requirements students must meet in order to earn an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. The Ontario secondary school literacy graduation requirement is based on expectations for reading and writing outlined in the Ontario curriculum up to and including Grade 9. The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test is the standard means for determining whether students meet this requirement.
special education program. As defined in the Education Act, “an educational program for an exceptional pupil that is based on and modified by the results of continuous assessment and evaluation, and that includes a plan containing specific objectives and an outline of educational services that meet the needs of the exceptional pupil”.
special education services. As defined in the Education Act, “facilities and resources, including support personnel and equipment, necessary for developing and implementing a special education program”.
GLOSSARY