How will my child be tested at KIS?

• Students at KIS are assessed in a variety of ways, including test, exams, projects, oral presentations, and written reports.
• At KIS, we believe that assessment is the continuation of the learning process. It is not assessment OF learning, but it is assessment FOR learning. The point is that our KIS students are able to apply their learning to the world around them.
• The IB views assessment as needing to be authentic, essential, rich, engaging, and feasible—it should incorporate students in the process of evaluating their learning.             

  • “Formative” assessment is interwoven into the daily lessons and learning—this ongoing process of “checking in” between teachers and students, helps both teachers and students find out what they already know, in order to plan for the next stage of learning. “Formative” assessment and teaching are directly linked; effective learning cannot take place without one or the other.
  • “Summative” assessment takes place at the end of the teaching and learning process—this is the time that students have the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding and application of what has been
    learned.
• Assessment in IB PYP is “criterion referenced.” This means students are scored against standards, not against each other (or at the teacher’s whim). Teachers will give the students a rubric on larger assignments that explains to the students what is expected of them. The rubric states what the criteria are for t\in the assignment (in a paper, for instance) and what the score will be for addressing or not addressing each point in that criteria. The rubric allows students to “buy into” their grades and take ownership of their effort and learning.