The primary aim of assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning.
1. A variety of assessment methods will be used to address individual learning styles and to provide a holistic picture of student achievement.
2. Student achievement of stated learning expectations shall be the only basis for the report card grades. Learning skills will be assessed/reported separately from the curriculum expectations unless they are a stated part of those learning expectations. Students who habitually submit work late are demonstrating poor learning skills.
3. Students will be provided with evaluation guidelines (charts, rubrics, exemplars etc.) so that they are aware of expected levels of performance.
4. Regular communication between parent/guardian and school staff is an integral component of assessment, evaluation and reporting, especially for students experiencing difficulties in achievement of learning expectations or skills.
5. Students with ongoing learning difficulties or needs will be supported and may be referred to In-School Team, Guidance Services, Special Services, ESL staff, and/or Administration.
6. Teachers shall set deadlines for assignments, projects, and presentations, as well as test dates.
7. If a student anticipates a problem with meeting a deadline then the student is required to initiate a discussion with the teacher in advance.
8. Course work not submitted by the deadline will receive a mark of zero (0). If a deadline for course work has been missed, the student will immediately take responsibility to discuss a plan with the teacher about meeting the curriculum expectations. The decision concerning the status of such course work shall be at the discretion of the teacher, in consultation with the Principal. The teacher will communicate the decision to the parent(s) or guardian(s).
9. Seventy percent of the student’s grade is based on course assignments and evaluations and the other 30% on final (summative/performance) evaluation(s) done towards the end of the course.
Glossary
The following is an explanation of the terms that are used in this policy.
Deadline: The final date on which an assignment/presentation will be accepted.
Assessment: Gathering and interpreting information about a student or group of students, using a variety of tools and techniques. It is the act of describing student performance, primarily for the purpose of enhancing learning.
Evaluation: Making judgments about the quality of overall student performance, primarily for the purpose of communicating student achievement.
Grading: Reporting a number or letter at the end of a period of time as a summary statement of student performance.
Refer to “Final Evaluation” in the YRDSB section of this agenda book.
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Evaluations and tests are to be written on the date assigned. Missed evaluations may be made up at the teacher’s discretion and/or with a note from a certified service provider (doctor, lawyer, social worker, etc.). Students who know in advance that they will be absent on an evaluation date have the responsibility of initiating a meeting with the teacher to discuss evaluation options.
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Academic Integrity
Students at SWMSS are expected to think independently and work honestly. Each student must develop habits that contribute to genuine academic, personal, and social growth. All students are expected to be honest academically.
Academic Dishonesty includes cheating and plagiarism.
Cheating involves:
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the act of copying the work of others during a test or examination.
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the unauthorized giving or receiving of information or assistance during a test or examination.
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the bringing of unauthorized material into a test or examination.
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the submission of a project, assignment, homework, or essay (in part or whole) that was written by or purchased from another, as your own work.
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the submission of the same or substantially similar work for evaluation in two courses, unless both teachers have given prior approval.
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the use of unapproved electronic equipment or other devices
Plagiarism includes:
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material taken from oral, visual, printed, or electronic sources and used without proper acknowledgement.
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submission(s) in which the words have been re-arranged, summarized, or paraphrased without acknowledgement.
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essays/assignments which have been partially or entirely composed by another.
If a teacher suspects that a submission is not original work, it is the responsibility of the student to demonstrate the work to be his/her own.
How to Avoid Plagiarism:
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Don’t copy and paste text from print or electronic sources. Instead create jot notes where you paraphrase or summarize an author’s ideas in your own words. Keep track of source information when you make jot notes by recording the author’s name, publisher, year of publication, web site address, etc. There are forms available in the library to help you with creating jot notes and recording source information.
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Acknowledge all sources. Use footnotes, endnotes, embedded references, a bibliography, a works cited list,etc. Be specific about what is taken from each source. Guides to MLA referencing (embedded references and works cited lists) are available in the library in baskets on top of the Reference book shelf, and alsoon the school web site (mulock.ca > Departments > Library > Referencing Your Project).
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Have your teacher or the teacher-librarian peruse your rough work or draft copy.
Consequences for Cheating and Plagiarism
Students involved in acts of academic dishonesty will be referred to a school administrator. Consequences may include; parental/guardian contact; awarding a mark of zero for the evaluation or assignment; and/ suspension from school. Consequences will escalate for repeated acts. A record of the student’s name and the nature of the offence will be retained in the Main Office.
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