Measures of Student Achievement and Success
Our school follows the guidelines set out in the OCDSB Policy and Procedures for Student Evaluation, available on the Board’s website.
Teachers use a variety of assessment tools including daily observations, rubrics, peer evaluation, tests and quizzes, self–evaluation, student demonstrations, and independent projects. Primary teachers assess the reading abilities of their students using PM Benchmarks. Junior and Intermediate teachers assess the reading abilities of their students using CASI.
While student achievement is formally reported to parents on a progress report in November and on Report Cards in February and June, and at scheduled parent-teacher interviews, regular open communication with parents is an ongoing priority of all Castlefrank staff.
Grade 3 and 6 students participate in the Ministry of Education’s provincial testing (EQAO). Results from EQAO, PM Benchmarks, CASI and a variety of other assessment tools, coupled with direct feedback from our school community, are used to plan improvement initiatives for our school, and develop our School Improvement Plan. Over the years, we have been very proud of our students’ high level of achievement.
The success of our K-8 program at Castlefrank is best demonstrated by the students who leave us and move on to the Earl of March Secondary School or A.Y. Jackson Secondary School where many of our recent students achieved very high marks in grade 9.
School Improvement Plans and Initiatives
A primary focus of our School Improvement Plan is literacy and mathematics. Students receive help, remediation and enrichment very early in their Language Arts and Math Literacy programs. New resources for the classroom and the library continue to be acquired. We take advantage of the Ministry’s and the Board’s incentive programs to purchase additional literacy materials for the classrooms and the library. Teachers of different grades meet to ensure the continuity of programs between grades and levels. Seniors and parent volunteers assist teachers in the classrooms by helping students with their reading and writing skills. The school also promotes staff training, development and support by providing opportunities for professional development, mentoring, and leadership in a supportive environment.
The results of EQAO testing, as well as the attitudinal survey of students, are consulted in order to determine the areas of strength and areas for improvement in Math. The Math Makes Sense program is implemented throughout the primary and junior grades. The Nelson Mathematics text and workbook is used in grades 7 and 8. The math program is based upon the Ontario Curriculum and maintains a strong focus on Math and Literacy. Math programs focus on a deep and purposeful understanding of concepts, and engage students in real-life problem solving activities. Other Numeracy initiatives include the use and availability of manipulatives, and math exemplars. Testing results, descriptions of resources, and strategies for learning are shared and discussed with parents at School Council and in school newsletters.
In a world where information is so easy to access, it becomes increasingly important to provide our students with the skills, strategies and habits of mind necessary for them to assess, judge and make responsible use of that information. For this reason, we will continue to focus on the development of critical and creative thinking in our students. As part of our school improvement plans, critical and creative thinking will become a central element of our programs in all areas of the curriculum.