Leadership in Assessment

Throughout my time in PQP, it has become clear that leadership plays a crucial role in creating assessment policies in schools as it sets the tone for the entire school community and ensures that the policies are aligned with the school's vision and goals. Effective leadership in this area can lead to better assessment practices, which can have a positive impact on student learning outcomes.

Effective leaders involve all stakeholders in the assessment policy-making process, including teachers, parents, and students, to ensure that everyone understands and shares the same vision for the school's assessment practices.  These practices align with board mission and vision, and SIPSAW and BIPSAW goals.   Using these guides, leaders set clear expectations for assessment policies and practices, and communicate them effectively to all stakeholders. This helps to ensure that assessments are administered consistently and fairly across the school.  A school that has consistent practices create an environment where staff are more likely to collaborate with shared goals.

When consistent practices are prioritized, leaders provide the necessary resources, such as professional development opportunities and assessment tools, to support teachers in implementing the assessment policies effectively.  They encourage a culture of continuous improvement, where teachers regularly reflect on their assessment practices and make adjustments as needed to improve student learning outcomes.  Leaders ensure that resources and time are allotted to allowing staff to work to improve practices regularly, ensuring that assessment policies comply with equity and Ministry standards.

As outlined in the Catholic leadership framework, Catholic leaders must set directions, build relationships, develop people and the organization, improve the instructional program and secure accountability.  Leadership is crucial in creating assessment policies in schools as it sets the direction and expectations for the entire school community and ensures that assessment practices align with the school's vision and goals.  Allowing time to develop these practices creates a better school environment where students can trust in their teachers to be partners in their success.  When a team is behind a student, they feel safe to make mistakes, knowing that the purpose of assessment is to improve.