With the change in Reporting Policy in British Columbia, parents and students will be seeing Learning Updates in November instead of Report Cards.
In K-9 the Provincial Proficiency Scale replaces over twenty different scales that were used in the province, and 3 different scales that were used in our district with one unified four point scale. The scale starts with Emerging then Developing, then to the goal for all students of Proficient, and then to Extending. The Proficiency Scale is already used in the Literacy and Numeracy Graduation Assessments in 10-12. Percentages and letter grades remain the same for courses in grades 10-12.
The Proficiency Scale Indicators
Emerging – student demonstrated an initial understanding of the concepts and competencies up to this time in a learning area.
Developing – student demonstrated a partial understanding of the concepts and competencies up to this time in a learning area.
Proficient – the goal for all students – student demonstrated a complete understanding of the concepts and competencies up to this time in a learning area.
Extending – student demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the concepts and competencies up to this time in a learning area.
Students can move up or down on the scale through time depending on their understanding and application of the content and competencies at the time in the course or area of learning.
Teachers make professional judgments as before with various scales we have used to report on the evidence of learning a student has provided. The evidence of learning may include products, observations, and conversations. These professional judgements are based on a variety of factors including:
- training
- criteria
- rubrics
- BC Performance Standards
- calibration through co-assessment with groups of teachers
- collaboration with other teachers
- experience
No matter where your student is on the proficiency scale, teachers will provide areas of strength or significant growth, areas that need improvement, and how families can help their student in written learning updates.
Teachers use a variety of ways to communicate learning through the year outside of Learning Update times. Parents are encouraged to contact their teachers if they have any concerns.
We’ve included two graphics below to help understand the Proficiency Scale.
