Primary Years Programme Making the PYP happen - ITARI

Making the PYP happen
How can I be sure that the students are really learning
We value what we assess. It is time we began assessing what we value.
Wiggins 1989
The PYP approach to learning demands that a range of assessment, recording and reporting strategies be
used. These strategies will provide the school’s leadership, staff, students and parents with accurate and
accessible data on student learning. A school leader needs to understand the purposes and principles of
assessment and provide leadership in the development and implementation of assessment policies.
Guidelines for implementation
! Learn as much as possible about the principles, purposes and practice of effective assessment.
! Reinforce the links between assessment, recording and reporting.
! Review the school’s systems of reporting to ensure that they reflect the curriculum.
! Ensure that teachers understand their role in the assessment process, describe this role in the job
description and include it in the appraisal process.
! Develop a comprehensive assessment handbook which incorporates philosophy, purpose,
principles, practice and policies.
! See “How will we know what we have learned The learned curriculum”, page 87, for further
details on assessment.
104 © IBO 2000