What are some effective strategies to assess students' literacy and numeracy skills using the toolkit?

1 Use formative assessment

Formative assessment is the ongoing process of gathering evidence of students' learning and using it to inform your teaching. The toolkit offers various tools and techniques to help you collect and analyze data on students' literacy and numeracy skills, such as observation, questioning, self-assessment, peer feedback, and rubrics. You can use these tools to check for understanding, identify strengths and gaps, and adjust your instruction accordingly.

2 Integrate assessment and learning

Assessment and learning are not separate events, but interrelated aspects of the teaching and learning cycle. The toolkit helps you integrate assessment and learning by providing authentic and meaningful tasks that engage students in applying their literacy and numeracy skills to real-world contexts. For example, you can use project-based learning, inquiry-based learning, or problem-based learning to create rich and challenging scenarios that require students to use multiple skills and strategies. You can also use performance-based assessment, such as portfolios, presentations, or demonstrations, to assess students' products and processes.

4 Involve students in assessment

Involving students in assessment is the practice of engaging students in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of their own learning. The toolkit helps you involve students in assessment by providing tools and strategies to help them set goals, monitor their progress, and reflect on their achievements. For example, you can use learning intentions, success criteria, or checklists to help students understand the expectations and criteria for their learning. You can also use self-assessment, peer assessment, or feedback to help students assess their own work and improve their skills.

5 Align assessment and curriculum

Aligning assessment and curriculum is the practice of ensuring that assessment reflects the intended learning outcomes and standards of the curriculum. The toolkit assists you in aligning assessment and curriculum by providing resources and examples to help you design assessments that match the content, skills, and levels of the curriculum. For example, you can use curriculum maps, scope and sequence charts, or learning progressions to help you plan assessments that cover the essential concepts and skills of the curriculum. You can also use exemplars, benchmarks, or scales to help you assess students' performance against the standards of the curriculum.