Cycle #1: The Plan

The First Step to Building Engagement in Assessment

One of the first steps in building engagement in assessment would be to authentically share what students are expected to know from the curriculum.  However, these curricular documents are designed for teacher to implement in their classrooms rather than for students to implement in their learning.  Therefore, the first plan will be to find a way to make curricular outcomes student-friendly and approachable.  


For example, the first unit in social studies 9 in the Alberta Program of Studies is related to Canada's federal political System.  Below are the general and specific outcomes. 


9.1.4 - examine the structure of Canada's federal political system by exploring and reflecting upon the following questions and issues:  

• How are laws passed in the federal political system? 

• What is the relationship between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of Canada's federal political system? 

• What processes are used to determine Members of Parliament (MPs) and Senators?  

• To whom are Members of Parliament and Senators accountable?  

• What is the role of political parties within Canada's federal political system?  

• What is the role of the media in relation to political issues?  

• How do lobby groups impact government decision making?  

• To what extent do political and legislative processes meet the needs of all Canadians? 

My goal would be to create a student friendly version of these outcomes and structure it in a way where students understand precisely what is expected of them to be successful.  In order to have students be involved in the process, they can take the first step in analyzing what they think is important.  I would plan to show students these outcomes and provide them with the opportunity to discuss what achievement of the outcome would mean to them.  
Using the document A Framework for Developing and Using Student-Friendly Program Learning Outcomes classes would be able to co-construct their version of the outcomes and elaborate on what success in that particular outcome means to them.  Ideally, this framework would allow students to understand their learning goals and have them directly involved in their learning path.  

KEY QUESTION: Will co-constructiong curricular outcomes in student friendly language contribute to increased engagement in assessment?

Program of Studies Social Studies K - Grade 12. (2005). http://www.learnalberta.ca/ProgramOfStudy.aspx?lang=en&ProgramId=564423#

Rogers, G. (2018, September 5). Program of Studies Social Studies K - Grade 12. (2005).  https://www.pacific.edu/Documents/provost/acrobat/x119370 Student Friendly Program Learning Outcomes Handout.pdf