Book Description

In Canada today there is a clear move toward a more outcomes-based education system. This report examines the state of high school student assessment and reviews standards and accountability strategies. It reports on the policies, programs, and initiatives in all provincial ministries or departments of education and a sample of school boards across the country. Data were derived from a telephone survey of departmental/ministerial representatives from all 10 provinces and the 2 territories and from a questionnaire that was mailed to 279 school boards. A total of 140 boards responded, a 50 percent response rate. Data show that both boards and ministries are putting more emphasis on the development of comprehensive policies to cover all aspects of student evaluation. There is some movement away from relying on paper-and-pencil testing as the sole means of evaluation; the use of more authentic, performance-based approaches and a greater variety of assessment techniques are being promoted. Some of the best practices in high school evaluation involve use of a broad range of assessment methods; introduction of or improvements to provincial examinations; greater use of summative and formative evaluations; greater emphasis on modifying evaluation for special-needs students; use of performance-based assessment; and more reporting to parents and the public. Thirteen tables are included. Appendices contain copies of the two questionnaires and selected school board material. (Contains 19 references.) (LMI)