What does this descriptor look like at different levels?
Assess student learning is the first descriptor of the fifth standard of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers.
See more: Australian Professional Standards for Teachers Terminology Explained
Graduate
What does it look like?
At the Graduate level, teachers are expected to develop foundational skills in assessing student learning, using a range of formative and summative assessment strategies.
As a Graduate teacher, you understand the importance of assessing student learning to inform your instructional practices. Your focus should be on using both formative assessments (to gauge student understanding during instruction) and summative assessments (to evaluate student performance at the end of a unit or period). While you may have limited experience, you must demonstrate your ability to use various assessment strategies effectively.
What evidence can I collect?
To provide evidence for this descriptor, you can showcase:
- Assessment plans: Develop basic assessment plans that outline the assessment strategies you intend to use in your lessons or units.
- Formative assessment examples: Demonstrate how you use formative assessments, such as quizzes, discussions, or observation, to monitor student progress during instruction.
- Summative assessment samples: Present examples of summative assessments you have administered to gauge student achievement at the end of a learning period.
See more: 4 Innovative Formative Assessment Strategies for Teachers.
Proficient
What does it look like?
At the Proficient level, teachers are expected to effectively assess student learning using a wide range of formative and summative assessment strategies, and use assessment data to inform teaching practices and provide targeted feedback to students.
As a Proficient teacher, you have developed a diverse repertoire of assessment strategies to gauge student learning effectively. You collect and analyze assessment data to gain insights into student progress and areas for improvement. Additionally, you provide targeted feedback to students based on assessment results to support their growth.
What evidence can I collect?
To demonstrate proficiency in assessing student learning, you can present evidence such as:
- Varied assessment strategies: Showcase your use of multiple assessment methods, including tests, projects, presentations, or portfolios, to assess student understanding comprehensively.
- Assessment data analysis: Provide evidence of how you collect, analyze, and use assessment data to inform your instructional decisions and identify areas for targeted support.
- Student feedback records: Demonstrate how you provide constructive feedback to students based on assessment results to support their learning progress.
See more: School Reports Have Changed – And it Will Have Consequences.
Highly Accomplished
What does it look like?
At the Highly Accomplished level, teachers are expected to lead and drive a whole-school approach to assessment, collaborating with colleagues to implement consistent and rigorous assessment practices.
As a Highly Accomplished teacher, you go beyond individual classroom assessment practices to lead efforts in creating a school-wide culture of effective assessment. You collaborate with colleagues to ensure consistent and rigorous assessment practices that align with curriculum standards and instructional goals.
What evidence can I collect?
To showcase your highly accomplished level of assessing student learning, consider the following evidence:
- Whole-school assessment initiatives: Provide documentation of your involvement in developing and implementing whole-school assessment programs or initiatives.
- Collaborative projects: Showcase initiatives or projects where you worked with colleagues to improve assessment practices across the school.
- Assessment alignment with curriculum: Demonstrate how your assessment practices align with curriculum standards and instructional objectives to support student learning.
See more: Is it Worth Becoming a Highly Accomplished Teacher?
Lead
What does it look like?
At the Lead level, teachers are expected to drive systemic approaches to assessment, collaborating with school leaders to ensure comprehensive evaluation of student learning and instructional effectiveness.
As a Lead Teacher, your focus is on systemic change and creating a cohesive approach to assessment that involves all stakeholders. You collaborate with school leaders and colleagues to develop comprehensive assessment frameworks that align with educational goals and support instructional effectiveness.
What evidence can I collect?
To demonstrate your leadership in assessing student learning, gather the following evidence:
- School-wide assessment policy: Provide documentation of your contributions to the development and implementation of a school-wide assessment policy or framework.
- Collaborative partnerships: Showcase instances where you collaborated with school leaders and colleagues to ensure consistent and rigorous assessment practices across the school.
- Impact assessment: Present evidence of how your efforts have positively influenced student learning outcomes and instructional practices through comprehensive assessment strategies.
