At Giralang we use a number formal and informal assessment tools. The main aims of our assessment procedures are:

to ensure that each child’s physical, personal and academic needs are systematically identified and provided for

to diagnose areas requiring further or differential teaching

to provide data regarding student progress an attainment

to provide feedback to teachers regarding efficacy of lessons and programs

to provide data to assist decision making regarding special programs and special placements

to provide information for reporting

Individual student portfolios form an important part of our assessment procedures at Giralang. These portfolios are collections of student work that show evidence of learning and are added to throughout the year by both students and teachers to highlight specific elements of the teaching / learning program.

Teachers carry out ongoing assessment throughout the year. They do this through the collection of a range of data. This may include observations, anecdotal records, student work samples, pen and paper tests and checklists.

Kindergarten children across the ACT are involved in an assessment program (PIPS). This is carried out twice a year - early in term 1 and then again in term 4.

Students in Year 3 and Year 5 participate in the ACT Assessment Program in Literacy and Numeracy (ACTAP). This assessment provides parents and teachers with a comprehensive report of each student’s understandings across all strands of literacy (reading, viewing, spelling, writing, speaking and listening) and various strands of numeracy. The reports also demonstrate how a student is performing in comparison to other year 3 and year 5 students within the ACT.

Students are also able to participate in the UNSW (University of New South Wales) competitions in Science, Maths, Computing, Spelling, Reading and Writing. Participation in these competitions is voluntary.

Detailed Assessment Schedule for Literacy and Numeracy (PFD file)