TEACHER INTERVIEW 7/02/15- Grade 1 teacher, S. Smith.

How is the assessment policy implemented at the school?

1. How do you feel about assessments? What is your view on
assessments?
Can be time consuming, but highly important.
2. How do your values/beliefs about assessment inform your
teaching?
The results from assessments guide future learning for both the
student and for myself. I value assessments so much as it makes
my teaching and learning more personalised. Nothing is generic.
3. How do assessments help you with your teaching?
Makes it more personalised. Makes learning more real.
4. How do you plan for an assessment?
I pre-test in maths before units, which helps to guide maths
groups. I also plan a summative assessment task in inquiry. I
create a plan on what I want them to be able to do at the end of
the unit, which helps to guide my assessing throughout the unit.
5. How do you support student diversity with your assessment
design?
Some kids cant do assessments independently so I will be on the
floor guiding them through the assessment process. I make
adjustments on the ability of the child. I have a select mute in my
class currently and I also had a student last year that was also a
select mute and I did an assessment on her iPhone (running
records). I would let her sit in my office and get her to push play
and read the book on record by herself.
6. How do you approach tests/assessments with your students?
Not saying this is a test as that can cause anxiety. I approach
tests so that the students know that the work they are about to
do is for information for me as a teacher to guide my own
learning, to show me what to teach. I make it more like they are
helping.
7. How do you record your students assessments?
I have a folder of checklists that are all linked to AUSVELS. I also
have anecdotal notes in a journal for behaviour records. I collect
evidence in a folder of students work samples.
8. How do you moderate assessments and tests throughout the
year?

The assessments that we are to do through PatMaths have

guidelines, which say when assessments are to be done at a
certain time. Generally maths is done when we are about to
move into the next unit. Writing and reading is done at the end of
the term.
9. What are the general view parents have or feel about
assessments?
For the book boxes most parents want their kids reading tested
done every week! And I will not do this. For anything on the
reports you just need to have evidence ready.

10. Do you promote self or peer assessments? How?

Yes I promote peer assessments all the time! Self-assessments
officially start in term 3 however they begin reflecting on their
learning from day 1 term 1. They begin to set their own smart goals
and self assess on their goals. IB is heavily into self-assessment.
11. NAPLAN, your thoughts?
Dont mind it. I have never taught to NAPLAN. I dont teach to the
test. It is quite stressful for the kids. I dont think personally that the
kids gain from it. I already know the students skills and abilities, so
this test doesnt tell me anything that I dont already know. It can be
good for the whole school as it shows where they are lacking and
where they need to improve.