Interview

with teacher about assessment:

Q: What do you feel about assessment?
A: I feel as though assessment is vital in order to progress students from one stage to
the next. Sometimes just simple observation does not tell us what knowledge a
student knows and the thought processes they go through.

Q: Does assessment help you learn?
A: Yes as it helps me identify what I have taught well and what I need to work on, it
helps me reflect on my practices and what needs to be changed in order for
successful learning to be promoted

Q: How do you plan for assessment?
A: I consider what type of assessment is appropriate for the specific type of learning.
For example if the topic was just for students to understand a life cycle, I wouldnt
get them to sit a test on life cycles I would plan the task to be for them to make a
model of a life cycle of their choice

Q: What is the purpose of assessment?
A: assessment enables us to find out what children understand, how they think,
what they are able to do, and what their dispositions and interests are. This
information helps us to build rich stories of children as capable and competent
learners in order to support further learning and development

Q: Do the assessment plans involve diverse strategies?
A: Yes, I ensure that my assessment strategy is appropriate and provides
opportunities for all students to achieve success therefore I consider the assessment
type and also apply different assessment strategies or activities when I assess.

Q: How do you make sense of your childs NAPLAN results? Are they important to
you? Why/why not?
A: honestly, I find as though the test undermines students confidence and obviously
does not teach other aspects of their learning other than literacy and numeracy.
While results are important to the school, and to how it reflects me as a teacher I
still believe that even the students who dont succeed on paper have other talents

Q: How do you provide feedback to your students? Is feedback important?
Why/whynot?
A: I provide feedback in a number of ways, if its a presentation I get the class to
provide critical feedback and comments about the presentation. I may provide
instant feedback through my interactions. Feedback is important for students to
note what they need to improve on, to consistently improve

Interview with the principal

Q: What is your philosophy about assessment?
A: Good assessment strategies will lead to effective evaluation and implementation
of teaching and learning strategies

Q: What effects do external national and international testing have on your school
community?
A: Students show quite remarkable results on the external tests, therefore there
have been very positive implications on the schools reputation and how the
community views us. We are consistently establishing new ways of assessment and
learning for students to achieve.