Page 160 - Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting in Ontario Schools. First Edition, Covering Grades 1 to 12. 2010

154
GROWING SUCCESS | assessment, evaluation, and reporting in Ontario schools
Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM). A ministry-approved specialized program that allows students to focus their learning on a specific economic sector while meeting the requirements for the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and that assists in their transition from secondary school to apprenticeship training, college, university, or the workplace. Every SHSM must include a bundle of credits, sector-recognized certifications, and/or training; experiential learning activities within the sector; “reach ahead” experiences connected with the student’s chosen postsecondary pathway; and development of Essential Skills and work habits using the Ontario Skills Passport (OSP).
standardized test. A type of test commonly used to provide valid, reliable, and unbiased information about students’ knowledge in various areas. The same questions are used and the same directions are given for each group to whom the test is administered. Specific time limits are set, and each student’s performance may be compared with that of all other students taking the same test.
strands. Broad curriculum areas within a subject or course (e.g., in Language at the elementary level and in compulsory English courses at the secondary level, there are four strands: Oral Communication; Reading [elementary] / Reading and Literature Studies [secondary]; Writing; and Media Literacy [elementary] / Media Studies [secondary]).
student-led conference. A student-parent conference that engages the student in direct communication with the parents through the use of portfolios illustrating the student’s achievement and learning. Students take the lead in walking their parents through a selection of accomplishments and demonstrations of their work. Student-led conferences bring students to the centre of classroom assessment.
student self-assessment. The process by which a student, with the ongoing support of the teacher, learns to recognize, describe, and apply success criteria related to particular learning goals and then use the information to monitor his or her own progress towards achieving the learning goals, make adjustments in learning approaches, and set individual goals for learning.
Student Success programs. Ministry-funded initiatives to provide targeted support to students in Grades 7 to 12 to ensure that every student can have a good outcome from his or her education. The key goals of the programs are to ensure that all students have the knowledge and skills required to succeed in school and beyond, to provide students with relevant learning opportunities that build on their strengths and interests, and to provide students with the supports needed for successful transitions.
Student Success strategy. An initiative of the Ministry of Education designed to give educators, parents, employers, college and university partners, students, and others the tools to create an engaging school experience for students in Grades 7 to 12. The focus is on providing: (1) more high-quality course options inside and outside the classroom, and (2) more individual support when students need extra help.
GLOSSARY