School

Newsletter
Hogwarts Elementary
School
1010 Wizard Lane
Calgary, A.B.
September 2017

What really is Assessment as

Assessment?
Assessment is more than just tests, grades or a
report card. It is the process of collecting
information on student performance that
includes a variety of tasks designed to monitor
and improve student learning. Alberta
Learning describes assessment as, "the breadth
of teaching and learning and helps nurture
critically thoughtful learners" (2008a). It is
integral to both the teaching and learning
process. It allows students to improve their
learning and teachers to improve their
instruction. Currently, there are three types of
assessment found in education; these three
categories are assessment of learning (AOL),
assessment as learning (AAL), and assessment
for learning (AFL). In this newsletter, we have
provided you with more information about the
forms of assessment used here at Hogwarts
Elementary.
Learning
(AAL):
Assessment as learning is a form of assessment in
which students engage in peer and self-
assessment. The purpose of AAL is to assist
students as they make sense of information, relate
it to prior knowledge, and use it for learning.
Functionally, it aids students’ understanding
through their feedback and provides them with
the opportunity to make changes, improvements,
and adjustments to their work. AAL encourages
students to take control of their learning and be
proactive in their success in the classroom.
 School
Newsletter
Hogwarts Elementary
School
Assessment of
Learning
(AOL):
Assessment of learning, or summative
assessment, is the form of assessment most
familiar to us. The purpose of assessment of is
for teachers to evaluate ongoing student
knowledge, performance, and achievement at
the end of a period of instruction. This type of
assessment is cumulative in nature and it is
used to confirm what students already know.
At Hogwarts Elementary teachers use AOL in
the form of tests, quizzes, exams, standardized
tests, and provincial achievement tests (PATS).
The results of AOL are included in report card
grades that children will bring home
throughout the school year.
Assessment for
Learning
(AFL):
Assessments for learning, or formative
assessment, are ongoing. Teachers use AFL to
collect information about the students’ progress
toward clearly specified learning, by observing
student’s participation and learning in the
classroom. Teachers then provide students with
accurate and prompt feedback so that students
can adjust their learning. It is important to note
that this type of assessment is not intended for
grading purposes.
Since students are diverse learners, we ensure
that all students at Hogwarts Elementary receive
differentiated instruction to illuminate strengths
and overcome barriers for individual students.
Therefore, teachers use assessment for learning
"as an investigative tool to find out as much as
they can about what their students know and can
do, and what confusions, preconceptions, or gaps
they might have” (Manitoba Education, 2006,
p.29). This information allows teachers to
determine how to “move student learning
forward” (Manitoba Education, 2006, p.29), and
what teaching practices will benefit their students
the most.
 School
Newsletter
Hogwarts Elementary
School
How can WE
balance
assessment?
The vision of balanced assessment at Hogwarts
Elementary involves the need to balance AOL,
AFL, and AAL. “No single assessment is
capable of meeting the information needs of
Sept 1
[our] various [students]” (Stiggins, 2006, p.6).
Labor Day
Assessment needs to support the learning of all
students in a variety of different ways.
Teachers at Hogwarts Elementary are
knowledgeable on various learning needs, and
they understand the importance of
differentiated instruction. Assessment needs to
be used to inform and guide teaching and
learning, help students set learning goals,
assign report card grades, and motivate
students (Learn Alberta, 2008b).
To achieve assessment balance, high-quality
rubrics are required and necessary. A rubric
will provide the student with a guide to success
for the assigned work. Rubrics are frequently
provided within all classrooms. Hogwarts
Elementary will offer our teachers Professional
Development sessions to provide them with the
skills to develop high-quality rubrics to
implement in their classrooms throughout the
school year. All of our rubrics will be clear,
easily understood, consistent, provide
challenges and ensure success for all students.
Balanced assessment requires feedback.
Feedback can include peer feedback/review as
well as student/teacher feedback. Data obtained
either from AFL (through the teacher) or AAL
(through peer review/self-assessment), can be
effectively utilized to help students improve
and understand where improvements need to
be made. Self-assessment tools such as quizzes,
charts, rating scales, and checklists can help
students analyze their performance and reflect
on their progress. Teachers can use this data to
evaluate and reflect on student learning and
their instruction. Students can take more
responsibility for their learning by reviewing
the rubric and their assignments before
evaluations.
This process allows students to understand
where they stand before handing in a
completed assignment. You, as
parents/guardians, play an important role in
this process. This form of assessment can easily
be incorporated into the home. Check in with
your child to see how they are self-assessing
outside of the classroom.
AOL is important in creating assessment
balance as well. Report card grades, tests, and
quizzes provide a snapshot of student
performance at a particular point in time. AOL
is designed primarily for those not directly
involved in daily learning and teaching
(administration, parents, school boards, etc.). It
evaluates one student’s education to another’s
(norm-referenced) or to their grade standard
(criterion referenced), as outlined in the
Programs of Study.
 School
Newsletter
Hogwarts Elementary
School

There has been a lot of time, money, and effort in developing these assessments and they continue to
have value.

Hogwarts Elementary believes that providing funding and teacher training is essential when
achieving successfully balanced assessment. Standardized tests and PAT’s are still required, but
professional support and dollars are needed to manage the shift to a balanced assessment system.
We will be allocating more school funds towards offering Professional Development sessions. These
sessions will allow Hogwarts Elementary teachers to develop a better understanding of balanced
assessment, and provide them with the skills to create rubrics, lesson plans, and other resources to
implement balanced assessment in the classroom.

Hogwarts Elementary will continue to work towards balanced assessment. The above actions will
help this ongoing transition. This will aid in the development of learning for all stakeholders, and
most importantly… the witches and wizards of the wizarding world!
 School
Newsletter
Hogwarts Elementary
School

References:
Alberta Learning. (2002). Chapter 8: Assess, evaluate and communicate student learning. CALM guide to
implementation. Retrieved from https://education.alberta.ca/media/482270/calm_ch8.pdf

Arnal, M. (2015). Implications of inclusion. Alberta Teachers’ Association, 95(3). Retrieved from
https://www.teachers.ab.ca/Publications/ATA%20Magazine/Volume%2095%202014-
15/Number-3/Pages/ImplicationsOfInclusion.aspx

Flickr. (2008). Hogwarts logo [Digital image]. Retrieved from

https://www.flickr.com/photos/28847589@N07/2693209132

KotBehemot (2010). Griffindor [Digital image]. Retrieved from

https://furryfurynailart.wordpress.com/2010/11/22/gryffindor/

Learn Alberta. (2008a). Assessment in Alberta: Discussion paper. Retrieved from

http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/ssass/html/assessmentinalberta.html

Learn Alberta. (2008b). Assessment: Linking teaching and learning. Retrieved from
http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/ssass/html/index.html
Manitoba Education, Citizenship and Youth (2006). Rethinking classroom assessment with purpose in
mind. Retrieved from https://www.wncp.ca/media/40539/rethink.pdf

Stiggins, R. (2006). Balanced assessment systems: Redefining excellence in assessment. Portland, OR:
Educational Testing Service. Retrieved from
http://media.ride.ri.gov/PD/FA/Formative_Assessment_Module_1_Lesson_4/story_
content/external_files/Stiggins_Balanced_Assessment_Systems%202006.pdf