Assessment, Feedback & Reporting

📘 Overview

Assessment is an important part of teaching and learning at Elphin Community College. It helps students, teachers and parents/guardians understand progress, identify next steps and support each student’s learning journey.

Assessment is not only about marks or grades. It also helps students recognise what they are doing well, what they need to improve and how they can make progress.

⭐ Why Assessment Matters 🌱 Assessment for Learning 📝 Assessment of Learning 📊 Reporting 🎓 Junior Cycle 📚 Senior Cycle 🤝 Supports 👩‍🎓 Students 👨‍👩‍👧 Parents

⭐ Why Assessment Matters

Assessment places the student at the centre of the learning process and allows a broader range of skills, knowledge and learning experiences to be recognised.

Assessment helps teachers monitor student progress.
It helps teachers decide the next steps in learning.
It provides students and parents/guardians with information about progress.
It helps identify appropriate subject levels for Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate students.
It can help identify students who may need additional support.
It supports subject choice, career guidance and future progression.

🌱 Assessment for Learning

Elphin Community College uses Assessment for Learning, often called AfL, as part of classroom practice. AfL is formative assessment. This means it is used to guide the next steps in learning.

What AfL helps students do

Understand what they are learning.
Know what successful work looks like.
Recognise what they have done well.
Identify what they need to improve.
Understand how to improve their work.

What AfL may look like in class

Teacher feedback
Peer assessment
Self-assessment
Success criteria
Examples of quality work
Questioning and discussion

In practice: Teachers adapt assessment approaches to suit the needs of their subject and the learning needs of students.

📝 Assessment of Learning

Assessment of Learning is summative assessment. It usually takes place after a period of learning and helps summarise what a student knows, understands and can do.

Examples of Assessment of Learning

Class tests
House examinations
Mock examinations
Practical assessments
Oral and aural assessments
Projects and coursework
State Examinations

Assessment periods

3rd and 6th Year students complete November assessments, mock examinations and State Examinations.
1st, 2nd, TY and 5th Year students may complete assessments during the school year.
Transition Year assessment may include certification, portfolio work, oral presentations and multimedia tasks.

📊 Reports and Feedback to Parents/Guardians

Reports provide parents/guardians and students with a clear snapshot of progress at key points during the year.

Reports may include marks, grades, levels and teacher comments.
Teacher comments may highlight strengths and areas for improvement.
Reports support conversations between students, parents/guardians and teachers.
Reports are used to monitor progress and identify where support may be needed.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to contact the school where concerns arise.

Tip for students: When you receive feedback, ask yourself: What did I do well? What do I need to improve? What is my next step?

🎓 Junior Cycle Assessment

Junior Cycle assessment includes classroom learning, Classroom-Based Assessments, final State Examinations and the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement.

Classroom-Based Assessments

Completed in many subjects during Junior Cycle.
Allow students to demonstrate learning in different ways.
May include projects, oral presentations, investigations, practical work or written tasks.
Reported as part of the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement.

Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement

Includes State Examination results.
Includes Classroom-Based Assessment descriptors.
May include other areas of learning and achievement.
Gives a broader picture of student learning.

📚 Senior Cycle Assessment

Senior Cycle assessment may include written examinations, coursework, projects, practical work, oral examinations and other subject-specific components.

Some subjects include projects, portfolios or practical components.
Languages may include oral and aural components.
Practical subjects may include practical examinations or coursework.
Students should keep careful track of deadlines.
Teachers will guide students on the specific requirements for each subject.

Important: Assessment arrangements differ from subject to subject. Students should follow teacher guidance and official State Examinations Commission information.

🤝 Reasonable Accommodations and Supports

Some students may require reasonable accommodations or additional supports in assessments. These supports are considered in line with school procedures, professional advice and relevant guidance.

Additional time may be considered where appropriate.
Reader, scribe or special centre arrangements may be considered where appropriate.
Spelling or handwriting supports may be considered where appropriate.
Supports are handled sensitively and confidentially.
Relevant staff are informed through appropriate confidential school procedures.

Note: Parents/guardians should contact the school if they have a concern about assessment access, learning needs or reasonable accommodations.