Assessment

Evaluation practices must ensure the accurate assessment of learning. Assessment practices that distort the accuracy of measurement shall not be utilized. This includes:

• awarding extra credit or bonus points;
• giving all members of a group a single grade for a demonstration of learning
• deducting marks for student work submitted after the due date;
• applying a grade of zero as a punishment (A zero could be given as a place holder until evidence is collected, such as a redo of the assessment.)

If used, final assessments shall provide for student demonstration of achievement relative to the key outcomes in the Programs of Study. It must also facilitate determination of grade level achievement in accordance with the outcomes in the Programs of Study. Individual students shall not be exempted from completing final assessments unless special needs or circumstances warrant it.

Examinations are held throughout the province in English 30-1, English 30-2, Social Studies 30-1, Social Studies 30-2, Mathematics 30-1,

Mathematics 30-2, Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Physics 30, Science 30 and French Language Arts 30. In each of these courses, 30% of the final mark will come from the student's score on the Diploma Examination and 70% from the student's achieved school mark. Students who are dissatisfied with their Diploma Examination Mark may write the test again in accordance to Alberta Education policies. 

Students will be given their final school mark before writing their Diploma Examination.

Final assessments are to be administered at the end of English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science courses where Alberta Education does not provide a diploma exam. When administered the following considerations will apply:

• For non-diploma Grade 10-12 courses, final Assessments shall be weighted at a maximum of 30% of a student’s grade in the course. 
• For grade 9 courses, final assessments shall be weighted at a maximum of 20% of a student’s grade in the course. Teachers may, at their discretion, choose to use the Provincial Achievement test in addition to, or in replacement of, their final assessment grade.
• In Diploma courses, final assessments shall be weighted at a maximum of 15% of the final school mark.

Students wishing to discuss their final grades should first talk to their teacher. If a resolution cannot be reached, then students should schedule a meeting with the principal.

Per Horizon Policy, final grade appeals must be initiated within 14 calendar days from the release of the results (appeals for June final grades are subject to 75 calendar days). Appeals are subject to the appeals process outlined in Horizon Policy IFH.

A course challenge is the provision that allows senior high school students to challenge the outcomes for a course by participating in a formal assessment process, rather than taking the course. Course challenges should be rare in application, subject to the following guidelines and regulations:

• Course challenge assessments of this kind are intended principally for the placement of a student in a program route or stream and will not usually be approved for courses at the end of a program stream.
• Course challenge does not apply for courses having no specifically defined content in the Program of Studies; e.g. Special Projects, Work Experience. Additionally, the following courses are excluded from the challenge provision: French 13, Mathematics, Prep 10, all RAP courses and CTS courses completed in Grades 7, 8 and 9.
• A student shall attempt a particular course challenge only once. If the student is unsuccessful but wants credit in the course or wishes to raise his or her mark, the student is required to take the course.
• For course challenges in diploma examination subjects, the challenge shall apply only to the school-awarded component of the blended mark. The student will be required to register for and write the diploma examination.
• Students must challenge all CTS 1 credit courses separately.

Procedures

• Students have the responsibility to initiate the process by submitting the completed course challenge assessment application at least eight weeks prior to the final week of each semester
• A student’s readiness for course challenge shall be determined through consultation that includes the principal, the student, parent(s) and subject teacher(s). The principal shall make the final decision about the student’s readiness for the course challenge.
• If it is determined that the student has demonstrated readiness for a course challenge, the principals shall establish an assessment process in consultation with the subject teacher(s).

Students who are unsuccessful in the completion of an enrolled course may, at the discretion of the teacher and administration, engage in a process of course recovery in which they redo assessments to demonstrate improved learning of course outcomes.

To be eligible for course / credit recovery, students must:

• Demonstrate an effort and willingness to improve on habits or behavior that led to the course being unsuccessful
• Have a grade above 40% and/or a level of incomplete or missing assessments that, in the teachers judgement, provides the students a reasonable opportunity for success in the effort of re-demonstrating course outcomes.
• Agree to an established timeline by the teacher & administration for the completion of the course recovery

Procedures

• Students may request to the teacher, or a teacher may recommend a student attempt course recovery if a student has been unsuccessful completing a class in the previous semester
• When considering a request or opportunity for course recovery, the teacher will discuss the case with the school principal. The principal will evaluate the merits of the recovery effort and will evaluate the likelihood of success in determining whether to approve or deny the request.
• Upon receiving approval, the supervising teacher will develop a list of relevant assessments necessary to demonstrate improved learning of course outcomes and create a timeline of completion for the student to follow.
• This timeline for completion, including relevant assessments will be shared with the student, parents, and school administration.
• If the student demonstrates similar habits to those which led to course being unsuccessful initially, parents will be notified, and the attempt at course recovery may be terminated by the teacher or administration.
• Course recovery will not be approved for courses completed prior to the previous semester, and must be completed by the end of the subsequent semester (i.e. a course which was unsuccessful in the fall semester must be recovered no later than the end of the spring semester.)

Assessment Scheduling: Assessments, including unit exams and final exams, are scheduled by teachers to evaluate students' understanding of course content. Specific dates are chosen to provide students with ample preparation time and to ensure fair and equitable assessment for all.

Attendance Expectations: Except in exceptional circumstances, students are required to attend exams, including final exams, as scheduled. If a student misses a scheduled unit exam, teachers have the discretion to either administer the same exam on an alternative date or require the student to complete an alternative assessment. It is the responsibility of students and parents to communicate any anticipated absences in advance of the exam date.

Final Exam Scheduling and Absences: Final exams are scheduled well in advance, and students and parents should be aware of these dates. Excused absences for final exams must be communicated to school administration and will only be accepted under exceptional circumstances.