Assessments and Homework

Throughout the learning process guides/faculty members monitor student understanding and help guide students to an awareness of their individual progress. Techniques include guide/faculty member observation and oral questioning. Guides/faculty members and advisors conference with students to discuss comprehension of content or Approaches to Learning, concerning study habits and attitude. In 7^th through 10^th grade (MYP Years 2 to 5), students build a digital student portfolio to reflect on their work and develop goal-setting techniques.  Throughout the program, guide/faculty members provide prompt and relevant feedback to students regarding formative assessment in an effort to better prepare them for summative tasks.

Homework

1. Upper Elementary

Improving time management and organizational skills are primary objectives at the Upper Elementary level. As homework is an essential practical life skill, these students will regularly have homework assigned that will be appropriate to their learning in the classroom. An additional goal of homework at this level is the development of increased independence and accountability. Students should be encouraged to take responsibility for organizing assignments, completing work, maintaining good quality, and asking questions, if necessary.  Homework typically includes a weekly writing assignment and two math assignments each week. Students may also have homework related to a literature study or 6^th level research, writing and presentation. Individual students may be also be given additional work to support specific needs. As in previous levels, thirty minutes of reading each day is recommended.

2. Middle School

At the Middle School level, homework provides an opportunity for the student to practice, reinforce, and extend knowledge concepts learned in the classroom. Each academic discipline may have homework. Students may expect no more than 2 hours of homework each night.  Other work outside of school may be necessary.  Time management is essential for students as they engage in both short and long term work. Long term assignments are typically broken down into smaller tasks and students are expected to maintain sustained effort in order to give appropriate attention and develop their own planning strategies.  Students are responsible for copying all assignments into a planner – recording due dates and important details. Students are also responsible for taking home all necessary resources – including laptop, textbooks, and other handouts. Students are expected to submit homework assignments that reflect careful attention to detail and quality of work.  Assignments should be completed and submitted on time.

3. Upper School

At the Upper School level, homework continues to allow the student to practice, reinforce and extend concepts learned in the classroom. Each academic discipline may have homework. Students may expect approximately 2 hours of homework each night.  Students at this level are expected to be capable of independent organization and time management. Guidance will be given as needed.  Students are also responsible for taking home all necessary resources – including laptop, textbooks, and other handouts. Students are expected to submit homework assignments that reflect careful attention to detail and quality of work.  Assignments should be completed on time.

Criterion-based Rubrics

Summative tasks are assessed based on the subject-specific objectives of the International Baccalaureate® Middle Years Program.  Interim objectives for Year 1 are used for 6^th level, Year 3 interim objectives are used for 7^th and 8^th levels, and Year 5 criteria are used for 9^th and 10^th levels to make the levels of achievement age-appropriate. Students are placed into phases for Language Acquisition based on their demonstrated competence. Consistent rubrics are used throughout the Middle Years Program, according to subjects, though they may be tailored to individual tasks.   Students are assessed with a variety of types of tasks in order to capitalize on their individual strengths and develop any areas for improvement. Students are encouraged to reflect on their scores, and students in 7^th through 10^th levels (MYP Years 2 through 5) have formal structures in place for this process in each academic term.

Standardized Testing

Standardized tests are administered to student in MYP Years 1 through 5. The Comprehensive Testing Program (CTP4) produced by the Educational Records Bureau (ERB) assesses student performance in several academic areas including verbal reasoning, reading comprehension, writing skills, and mathematics achievement and ability.  Students take the CTP test through 9^th level. The data from the tests are evaluated each year to further examine the curriculum.  The faculty and parents gain additional information about the student’s individual progress. The results of such tests are used to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses in academic areas. If extended time is required on testing, the evaluation and recommendation must be submitted to the Director of Learning Services no less than two (2) weeks prior to testing.  Evaluation and recommendation must have taken place within the last three (3) years. 

The PSAT will be administered to 10^th levels at Alcuin each October.  The PSAT/NMSQT will be administered to 11^th levels at Alcuin for National Merit consideration.  Upper School students are encouraged to take baseline ACT and SAT exams in the Spring of their 10^th level year.  Registration for ACT and SAT exams is the responsibility of the student and parents.

Students registering for these exams are to use College Board Numbers below:

Middle School College Board Number 449382

Upper School College Board Number 441894.

The Personal Project – A Consolidation Task

During their sophomore year, all students must complete a Personal Project on a topic of personal interest, as part of IB Middle Years Programme. Investigation, planning, action, and reflection are the essential components of the task.  The project is expected to take approximately 25 hours to complete. The process is faculty–supervised. Students who are unable to complete the task according to the deadlines will develop an individualized recovery plan with the Director of Curriculum and Instruction.

All projects must be registered and submitted for external moderation by the International Baccalaureate Organization®.        

Diploma Programme Student Examinations

Alcuin Upper School seniors will sit for International Baccalaureate^® (IB) Diploma Programme External Assessments over a four week period in May. These exams are externally generated from the International offices, evaluated by external Examiners, and reflect the standards of the IB Education Community.  Additional evaluation of IB Diploma Programme students comes through Internal Assessments which are outlined in the individual IB course guides and conducted by the classroom teacher.  A statistical sample of each individual teacher’s Internal Assessment is annually moderated by the IB.

Diploma Candidates Requirements:

1. Must take 2 Standard Level (SL)/4 Higher Level (HL) exams OR 3 SL/3HL exams
2. Extended Essay
3. Creativity, Activity, & Service – approximately 150 hours
4. Theory of Knowledge

IB Diploma Programme courses are a two-year program of study established by the official IB course guides.  IB course guides are regularly updated to reflect current academic content and global standards. SL courses and exams require a minimum of 150 hours of classroom instruction.  HL courses and exams require a minimum of 240 hours of classroom instruction.

Governmental Recognition - More than 140 governments officially recognize the International Baccalaureate^® Diploma as a qualifying credential for university admissions.

University Recognition - Major universities around the world recognize the standards of excellence of the IB Diploma or Certificate. Each university has its own accreditation listing for the amount of advanced standing based on specified exam scores. University recognition information is available at www.ibo.org. 

Texas is among the states where university recognition is established by law.   Senate Bill 111 provisions are the IB Diploma will carry at least 24 hours of college credit if the student scores 4 or above on the IB exams; applicable to Texas State universities.