Assessment Overview

(Information extracted from the IBO’s website www.ibo.org)

Within the PYP, continuous assessment should be an integral part of teaching. The use of assessment to judge the effectiveness of both teaching and learning processes is essential to allow teachers and children to identify their strengths and weaknesses and the effectiveness of the programme. The purpose and means of assessment should be clearly explained to the children.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is interwoven with the daily learning and helps teachers and children find out what the children already know in order to plan the next stage of learning. Formative assessment and teaching are directly linked; neither can function effectively or purposefully without the other. For example, observations, discussions, projects, tests and quizzes, and portfolios.

Summative assessment

Summative assessment takes place at the end of the teaching and learning processes and gives the children opportunities to demonstrate what has been learned. Summative assessments may include any of, and any combination of, the following: acquisition of data, synthesis of information, application of knowledge and processes.