Assessment in the IBMYP is criterion-referenced, which reflects contemporary educational theory regarding assessment. Each subject in the IBMYP has its own assessment criteria that are age level and task specific, and based on core learning aims and objectives for that subject. The use of criterion-referenced assessment compares student achievement with pre-determined criteria that, over time, provide greater consistency in maintaining and raising standards. This method of student assessment helps learners plan their next steps for learning and to set goals for improvement. These goals for learning engage students in the assessment process so they can work with the criteria and experience a sense of progress. The use of criterion-referenced assessment also provides greater consistency in assessment, as there are clear indicators for measuring student achievement that all teachers must follow. The use of criteria enables teachers to also assess the process of learning that a student has undertaken as well as the products they produce. At WAB we do not compare students to each other, but instead assess each student’s performance in relation to clearly defined standards, as articulated in the assessment criteria, using a wide variety of assessment tools.
Parents are encouraged to attend parent workshops on assessment held throughout the academic year.
International Schools Assessment (ISA)
Grade 7 students at WAB participate in the International Schools Assessment (ISA). This assessment tool has been developed in order to allow comparison of student achievement in participating international schools against performance of students in OECD countries. This is done by benchmarking student achievement against results in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA).
The ISA provides standardized assessment in Mathematical Literacy, Reading, Narrative and Expository Writing at Grades 3, 5, 7 and 10. Using an 800-point scale, the ISA describes the band of achievement of students in other international schools, the averag achievement in schools in OECD countries and compares these with the achievement of each individual student at WAB.
