Link-up 2006 Session 2

What QCAR assesses

The role of QCAR Specify what learning is essential Determine standards for learning Support assessment in schools Improve consistency of teacher judgment Establish a reporting framework

Provides products that schools can use in: aligning what is taught, assessed and reported building assessment capability supporting student learning QCAR Framework

Alignment Alignment refers to how well the elements of curriculum assessment and reporting work together to promote improved student learning

Alignment In QCAR, four organisers bring the key elements together: –All KLAs –All junctures –Everyday assessment –Statewide assessment

We assess what we value Solving problems Thinking critically Applying new skills and techniques Having the personal skills needed to communicate and live alongside others Being able to imagine and assess alternative futures (Brown and Lander, 2004)

Queensland Essential Learnings identify knowledge, skills, attributes and capabilities in three broad categories: Creative and successful knowledge workers Fully participating citizens in social and political life Identity and self-management as individuals. They specify what is important for all students to know and do by the end of Years 3, 5, 7 and 9.

4 Organisers Knowing and Understanding Inquiring Responding Reflecting

Captures the disciplinary knowledges within the key learning areas Describes ways of working through: inquiring responding reflecting Statement that:  describes the focus for learning  describes what students are expected to know and be able to do at specified junctures

Alignment Four organisers of the Essential Learnings and Standards are directly aligned with four criteria for the Statewide Assessment Standards are the unifying device for the Essential Learnings and Assessment

Standards Standards help teachers to: inform students about the desirable features of a performance match evidence in student work to standards descriptors.

QCAR Assessment Assessment that: focuses on supporting learning rather than sorting and selecting reflects models of learning is aligned with curriculum intent is authentic and engaging for students Is rigorous and challenging is inclusive and fair is valid and reliable

We assess what we value.

QCAR Assessment Knowing and Understanding: The disciplinary knowledge within the key learning areas –Facts –Procedures –Concepts –Metacognition Ways of Working: Inquiring Responding Reflecting

QCAR Assessment Authentic Performance based Connected with the real world Requiring significant student time

Essential Learnings Knowing and understanding Inquiring Responding Reflecting Assessment Knowing and understanding Inquiring Responding Reflecting Assessment  Knowing and understanding Inquiring Responding Reflecting Essentials Learnings Knowing and understanding Inquiring Responding Reflecting Pedagogy

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