Assessment Policy

A web version of the school's Assessment Policy for the MYP.

MYP Policy

Assessment supports learning, growth, and fairness

At Cubahiro International School, assessment is used to improve learning, guide teaching, and maintain alignment with the philosophy of the International Baccalaureate Organization.

Learning

Assessment gives meaningful feedback that helps students improve with confidence and clarity.

Fairness

Varied methods and criterion-based judgment support different abilities, experiences, and learning styles.

Consistency

Shared criteria, moderation, and standardization help teachers present a reliable picture of achievement.

1. Purpose

Purpose of Assessment

The primary purpose of assessment and evaluation at CIS is to support and improve student learning while aligning school assessment practices with IB philosophy. The single most important aim of MYP assessment is to support curricular goals and encourage appropriate student learning.

2. Philosophy

Philosophy of Assessment at CIS

Track Progress

Students are monitored through varied approaches so teachers can see development over time, not only at the end of a unit.

Give Meaningful Feedback

Assessment is designed to provide practical feedback that guides next steps in learning.

Ensure Fairness

Tasks are planned with fairness, variety, and inclusivity in mind to accommodate different learning styles, experiences, and abilities.

Support the Whole Learner

Assessment recognizes holistic development, including thinking, communication, reflection, and international-mindedness.

3. MYP

Assessment in the MYP

  • Supports and encourages student learning through feedback on the learning process.
  • Informs, enhances, and improves teaching practice.
  • Provides opportunities to transfer skills across disciplines, including interdisciplinary units and projects.
  • Promotes positive attitudes toward learning.
  • Promotes deep understanding through inquiry in real-world contexts.
  • Develops critical- and creative-thinking skills.
  • Reflects international-mindedness in diverse cultural and linguistic contexts.
  • Ensures common practices when using MYP criteria and determining achievement levels.
4. Practice

Assessment in the MYP at CIS

Holistic Approach

Students are assessed in diverse ways, including hands-on learning activities, experiments, oral presentations, research papers, and written examinations.

Formative Assessment

  • Continuous gathering and interpretation of evidence to improve learning.
  • Integrated into daily instruction through observations, interviews, work samples, projects, performances, exhibitions, short-answer tests, and portfolios.
  • Includes self-assessment and peer assessment in safe, collaborative environments.
  • Provides descriptive feedback during learning.

Summative Assessment

  • Conducted at the end of a teaching cycle to evaluate achievement against criteria.
  • Examples include chapter tests, quarter exams, lab reports, and research papers.
  • Tasks are communicated in advance with rubrics, clarifications, examples, and practice opportunities.

Criterion-Based Assessment

Students are evaluated using predetermined MYP subject-group criteria rather than being compared against one another.

Reflective Assessment

Descriptive and timely feedback helps students learn from practice. Learners are actively involved in self-assessment, peer assessment, and goal-setting for improvement.

5-6. Records

Recording and Reporting Student Achievement

Recording

  • Formative achievement is recorded through grades.
  • Students and parents have access to progress records.
  • Portfolios are used to organize and track student work.
  • Google Classroom is used for recording and communication.

Reporting

  • Parent-teacher conferences at the end of the first and third quarters.
  • Student-led conferences.
  • Progress reports at the end of the first and third quarters.
  • Report cards at the end of each semester.
Subject Criteria

MYP Assessment Criteria Across Subject Groups

Subject Area Criterion A Criterion B Criterion C Criterion D
Language and LiteratureAnalysingOrganizingProducing textUsing language
Language AcquisitionComprehending spoken and visual textComprehending written and visual textCommunicatingUsing language
Individuals and SocietiesKnowing and understandingInvestigatingCommunicatingThinking critically
SciencesKnowing and understandingInquiring and designingProcessing and evaluatingReflecting on the impacts of science
MathematicsKnowing and understandingInvestigating patternsCommunicatingApplying mathematics in real-world contexts
ArtsKnowing and understandingDeveloping skillsThinking creativelyResponding
Physical and Health EducationKnowing and understandingPlanning for performanceApplying and performingReflecting and improving performance
DesignInquiring and analysingDeveloping ideasCreating the solutionEvaluating
MYP ProjectsInvestigatingPlanningTaking actionReflecting
InterdisciplinaryDisciplinary groundingSynthesizing and applyingCommunicatingReflecting
Grade Boundaries

MYP General Grade Descriptors

Grade Boundary Guidelines Descriptor
11-5Very limited achievement with minimal understanding and very little application of required knowledge and skills.
26-9Limited achievement with basic understanding of some required knowledge and limited application in familiar situations.
310-14Adequate achievement with some understanding and adequate application in familiar situations.
415-18Satisfactory achievement with good understanding and effective application in familiar situations.
519-23Good achievement with consistent and thorough understanding, applied well in familiar and some unfamiliar situations.
624-27Very good achievement with strong understanding and effective application across a wide variety of situations.
728-32Excellent achievement with comprehensive, sophisticated understanding and creative, insightful application.

Source references in the uploaded document include MYP Principles into Practice (2014), supporting the grade boundary and assessment guidance used on this page.

Internal Standardization

Purpose and Process of Standardization

The standardization process in the MYP at CIS is designed to ensure that administrators, teachers, assistant teachers, and support staff understand and follow IB MYP assessment procedures. It also protects fairness, consistency, and integrity in assessment practices and results.

Assessment Tasks

Teachers collaborate within subject groups to develop or modify assessments so they align with taught content, global contexts, ATL skills, and MYP expectations.

Assessment Criteria

Department heads, project coordinators, and subject teachers moderate criteria, command terms, and strands to maintain clarity, appropriateness, and inclusion.

Teacher Feedback

Teachers review sample marked assessments together, compare judgments, and discuss rationales to strengthen consistency and support colleagues new to the programme.

All assessments are expected to meet the criteria of validity, authenticity, reliability, and conformity to subject requirements.