Assessment

At Jack London Middle School students are encouraged to discover, explore, and construct meaning in a rich and stimulating educational environment. Our goal as educators is to support every child and develop each student to be an independent, continuous learner. Teachers design and implement challenging lessons in which students are active participants.  Students should ask questions, participate in discussions, and work with a purpose.  They also need to be engaged in reflective thought.  Each student needs time to process what he or she has learned in order to be able to apply knowledge to new situations, which will help them make meaning as they take ownership of the world around them.

Using various forms of formal and informal assessments, teachers use this evidence to determine mid trimester and report card content area grades. The grade on a child’s report card represents their understanding of the content. If a child does not have a grade for an assessment every effort will be made to help that student make up that work. As well, if a child is not able to make up the work due to illness, absence, or refusal, then a missing or excused grade will be utilized instead of a zero. Students will struggle at times, therefore, teachers will give students opportunities to improve their grades after each assessment.

Feedback should be given often and takes on many forms. The parent portal is being updated every two weeks within each assessment area (District 21 Assessment Expectations). Communication about the learning that is happening in the classroom is going home multiple times throughout the year. Parent-teacher conferences are held twice a year to facilitate conversations about successes and areas of growth. Parent phone calls/emails occur for individual students when there are struggles and successes.

CORE ACADEMICS:
Reading
Communication
Mathematics
Science
Social Science
EXPLORATORY COURSES:
Art
Career and Community Connection
Drama
Project Lead the Way

Physical Education
Spanish

Academic Lab
General Music
Performing Music

A grade of an AAdvanced-Consistently demonstrates depth of thinking and transfers learning to new situations
A grade of a B Proficient-Independently uses and understands concepts/skills
A grade of a C Developing-With support, uses and understands concepts/skills
A grade of a D Deficient-Struggles to demonstrate understanding of concepts/skills
A grade of a WAcademic Warning-Requires intensive improvement

Learner Qualities
Students are expected to be accountable for their own behavior during school hours, on their way to and from school, at school-sponsored activities, at the bus stops, and on the school bus. In order to help students make appropriate behavioral decisions and to develop personal responsibility and self-discipline, we have developed a set of Learner Qualities. Learner Qualities are those behaviors that enhance a student’s ability to learn and to get along with others. Learner Qualities are ‘life skills’ which include being a self-directed learner, collaborative worker, quality producer, and respectful citizen. These are the same qualities that are essential for success in the workplace and everyday life. By learning these behaviors now, students will be preparing for a successful future throughout their school and beyond.

A student who is a Self-Directed Learner…
-sets, achieves and re-evaluates goals;
-organizes time, tasks, and materials;
-takes responsibility for his/her own learning; and,
-completes daily and absentee work on time.
A student who is a Collaborative Worker…
-establishes positive working relationships with others;
-builds a community of learners;
-shares time and talents in the classroom and school;
-participates appropriately in a variety of settings;
-works well in groups of various sizes by teaching and encouraging others;
-works to achieve group goals.
A student who is a Quality Producer…
-meets the requirements of an assignment;
-demonstrates depth of thought;
-creates a variety of original products;
-invests time, effort, pride; and,
-produces work that is neat and organized.
A student who is a Respectful Citizen…
-models high behavioral standards;
-demonstrates care and respect for self and others;
-respects school property and the property of others; and,
-follows behavioral directions of teachers.

Learner Quality Grade Descriptor
4 – Performance is consistently at a high level and achieved independently.
3 – Performance is often at a satisfactory level and achieved independently.
2 – With help, performance is at a satisfactory level.
1 – Performs with partial success while requiring help.