Page 52 - Interdisciplinary Studies 11-12 (2002)

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The Achievement Chart for Interdisciplinary Studies
The achievement chart that follows identifies four categories of knowledge and skills in interdisciplinary studies – Knowledge/Understanding,Thinking/Inquiry, Communication, and Application. These categories encompass all the curriculum expectations in interdisciplinary studies courses. For each of the category statements in the left-hand column, the levels of student achievement are described. (Detailed information on the achievement levels and on assessment, evaluation, and reporting policy and its implementation is provided in The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9 to 12: Program Planning and Assessment, 2000.)
The achievement chart is meant to guide teachers in:
– planning instruction and learning activities that will lead to the achievement of the curriculum expectations in a course;
– planning assessment strategies that will accurately assess students’ achievement of the curriculum expectations;
– selecting samples of student work that provide evidence of achievement at particular levels;
– providing descriptive feedback to students on their current achievement and suggesting strategies for improvement;
– determining, towards the end of a course, a student’s most consistent level of achievement of the curriculum expectations as reflected in his or her course work;
– devising a method of final evaluation;
– assigning a final grade.
The achievement chart can guide students in:
– assessing their own learning;
– planning strategies for improvement, with the help of their teachers.
The achievement chart provides a standard province-wide method for teachers to use in assessing and evaluating their students’ achievement. A variety of materials is being made avail- able to assist teachers in improving their assessment methods and strategies and, hence, their assessment of student achievement.
The ministry provides the following materials to school boards for distribution to teachers: – a standard provincial report card, with an accompanying guide
– instructional planning materials
– assessment videos
– training materials
– an electronic curriculum planner