Assessment

Assessment Policy

General Information

§ Each 2 unit course in the preliminary year is of 120 hours. This will normally correspond to Terms 1-3 inclusive.

§ Formal School Examinations are scheduled for Weeks 4/5 Term 2 and Weeks 9/10 Term 3.

§ The School will formally report on student progress following these exams and at other times, including by way of warning letters if required.

§ Assessment policies reflect the emphasis teachers place on particular aspects of the course and in each case follow guidelines issued by the Board of Studies.

§ Assessment tasks are designed to focus on course outcomes and students receive meaningful feedback which leads to a higher level of performance.

§ Assessment tasks will measure performance through a variety of different tasks, and will assess outcomes and components of the course not necessarily assessed through formal examinations.

General Rules:-

1. Each faculty will:-

(a) Nominate assessment tasks to be listed in attached subject schedules. These schedules will show the weighting assigned to each task. Course outcomes are included.

(b) Give students two week's written notice of due dates of formal tasks. The written notification will provide the outcomes to be assessed, the weighting of the task, a description of the task and a marking guideline.

(c) Assign a mark for each task and formally record this mark in the Subject/Faculty mark book.

(d) Use these marks to calculate a cumulative rank order as per the weightings published in the schedules. This rank will be reported on in half-yearly and yearly reports.

(e) Notify the responsible Head Teacher of tasks not submitted on time. Head teachers will notify parents, in writing, of assessment tasks not completed.

(f) Provide meaningful feedback to students on the degree to which desired outcomes have been met.

2. Students must comply with the entry requirements, the course restrictions and rules set by the Board of Studies.

To this effect students must:-

(a) Study courses approved by the Board of Studies.

(b) Complete at least 12 units (as full-time students) or follow guide-lines laid down in the Pathways document in the case of part-time students.

The 12 units for full-time students must include:-

§ a minimum of 6 Board Developed Units

§ at least 2 units of a Board Developed course in English

§ at least 3 courses of 2 units value or greater

§ at least 4 subjects

§ a maximum of six units in Science

(c) Complete 51% of the value of assessment tasks in each course

(d) Complete all tasks by the due date and follow procedures determined by the school.

(e) Complete all course work diligently and participate actively in all set experiences offered in each course.

3. Yass High School has established a set of procedures to ensure effective communications and fairness to all.

To this effect students are expected to do the following:-

(a) Submit all assessment tasks by the due date, at the specified time.

(b) Notify the school by 9.00am on the due date of any case of illness or misadventure preventing completion of the task. Provide a medical certificate in the case of illness.

(c) Complete all tasks honestly and without plagiarism.

(d) Complete and submit a ‘Request for Extension' form to their teacher, if needed, prior to the due date.

(e) Appeal in writing if they believe a mark or procedure is unfair.

4. Review panel - Students may appeal to the school review board for adjudication:-

(a) The panel shall consist of the Head Teacher concerned (or nominee of the Principal in cases where the Head Teacher is also the teacher involved) and the Year Adviser.

(b) The panel shall receive in writing all appeals and evidence regarding unfairness surrounding assessment tasks.

(c) The panel will reply to students in writing.