Statement of Belief
At Tessa International School, we are committed to fostering a school-wide culture of assessment that supports academic excellence and personal growth. Our assessments are thoughtfully designed to align with international and local curricula, including the U.S. Common Core Standards, Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), and the French, Spanish, and Chinese National Curricula. This ensures a holistic, inquiry-based approach that nurtures critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills.
Purpose of Assessment
The primary purpose of assessment is to:
- Support students in achieving developmental milestones and long-term learning outcomes.
- Communicate progress and areas for improvement to students, parents, and teachers.
- Guide instruction and inform differentiation to meet individual student needs.
- Foster reflection, goal-setting, and ownership of the learning process.
- Celebrate growth and achievements within a multilingual, interdisciplinary educational framework.
Essential Elements of Assessment
Assessments at Tessa International School are designed to:
- Evaluate knowledge acquisition, conceptual understanding, and the development of Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills.
- Encourage problem-solving, decision-making, and real-world application.
- Highlight interdisciplinary connections through inquiry-based projects and activities.
Assessment Procedure
- Benchmarks and Milestones: Trimester assessments align with curriculum benchmarks, guiding steady progress toward end-of-year outcomes.
- Assessment for Learning: Evaluates prior knowledge to inform instruction, with students co-creating success criteria for ownership of learning.
- Assessment of Learning: Measures achievement through summative assessments in core subjects and inquiry-based projects.
- Assessment as Learning: Encourages self-reflection and peer assessments, fostering active engagement in the learning process.
Forms of Assessment
- Diagnostic Assessment: Evaluates prior knowledge to inform instructional planning and differentiation.
- Formative Assessment: Provides ongoing feedback to guide student learning and teacher instruction.
- Summative Assessment: Measures mastery of concepts, skills, and objectives at the end of a learning unit or trimester.
- Portfolio Assessment: Documents student growth, creativity, and interdisciplinary learning through a curated collection of work.
- Positive Assessment: Highlights individual strengths, fostering confidence and a growth mindset.
Homework Policy
Homework supports assessment by providing opportunities to:
- Reinforce and apply skills learned in class.
- Prepare for upcoming lessons and projects.
- Develop self-management and organizational skills.
Structure:
- Homework is differentiated to meet individual needs and promote inquiry-based learning.
- Assignments are aligned with curriculum benchmarks and reflect real-world applications.
Time Guidelines:
- Trimester 1:
- Grade 1: 10 minutes
- Grade 2: 15 minutes
- Grades 3-4: 20 minutes
- Trimesters 2-3:
- Grades 1-2: 10-20 minutes
- Grades 3-4: 30-60 minutes
Standardized Testing and Assessments
Tessa International School employs standardized assessments to complement classroom evaluations:
- Literably (Grades 1-4): Assesses reading fluency, spelling, phonological awareness, and comprehension.
- Avanza (Spanish) and Level Learning (Mandarin): Tracks target language proficiency.
- French State Exam: Measures alignment with French National Curriculum standards.
- NWEA MAP Growth (KG-Grade 4): Evaluates growth in literacy, mathematics, and language usage.
- Brigance (PK3-KG): Assesses cognitive, literacy, math, and motor skills development.
Trimester Reports
Each trimester report highlights:
- Progress in language and literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies, taught through English and the target language.
- Participation in inquiry-based projects and interdisciplinary activities that promote a global perspective and critical thinking.
- Milestones achieved within the trimester and alignment with benchmarks toward end-of-year learning goals.
The reports reflect not only academic performance but also personal growth, such as collaboration, creativity, and responsibility, providing a comprehensive picture of each child’s development.
Feedback and Reflection
- Timely Feedback: Students receive constructive feedback to guide improvement and reinforce strengths.
- Reflective Learning: Students regularly reflect on their progress, identifying goals and strategies for growth.
- Parent Communication: Daily and weekly updates ensure transparency and foster collaboration between school and home.
Conferences
- Parent-Teacher Conferences: Collaborative discussions on academic progress and strategies for support.
- Student-Led Conferences: Students present their learning journey, fostering ownership, communication skills, and goal-setting.