ISP Assessment Policy

• Principles of assessment
• Why do we assess?
• How do we assess?
• How do we grade?
• Students not writing in their first language

Principles of assessment

The International School of Paris recognizes that teaching, learning and assessment are fundamentally interdependent. We are guided by the following principles:

Students:

• have differing learning styles
• have different cultural experiences, expectations and needs
• perform differently according to the context of learning
• see self assessment and peer assessment as a natural part of the learning process
• need to know their achievements and areas for improvement in the learning process
• should receive feedback that is positive and constructive

Assessment:

• is designed by teachers to incorporate a variety of methods and to be relevant and motivating to students.
• is geared toward appraisal of a broad range of concepts, attitudes, knowledge and skills appropriate to an international and increasingly complex world.
• is criterion-referenced using the guidelines set down by the IBO and is made clear to students by teachers before coursework begins.

ISP assesses its students in order to:

• build up a clear picture of the student and his or her interests
• assess the effectiveness of the environment on the student’s learning
• extend the student’s learning
• monitor the progress of individual student learning and achievement
• determine the effectiveness of teaching
• inform curriculum review
• help evaluate suitability of courses
• inform others as appropriate, including students, teachers, parents, receiving schools, future employers

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How do we assess?

We assess by gathering evidence & information from the following sources:

• ongoing formative teacher assessment
• summative assessment tasks
• previous summative records
• parents' consultations
• conversations with other adults who have knowledge
• the student as a learner
• by analysing the above using professional knowledge and expertise

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How do we grade?

The Secondary School uses subject-specific IB criteria to indicate levels of achievement. At the end of each semester, students receive a summative grade, based on the IB 1 (low) – 7 (high) grade scale (More information about the Secondary School IB Grading Scale).

For more detailed information about assessment in the PYP, MYP and IB programmes, please refer to the PYP, MYP and IB Programme Handbooks located in the right hand banner.

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Students not writing in their first language

For assessments in many subjects, it is important to remember that some students will not be using their first language. Teachers are not marking for grammatical accuracy; what is important is that students present their thinking as clearly as possible. All teachers should aid English B students by highlighting and improving language errors, where applicable.

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