Rocky View Schools (RVS) will participate in a pilot program for a new testing initiative this fall, but it’s one that has some local educators concerned.
Student Learning Assessments (SLAs) are eventually set to replace Provincial Assessment Tests (PATs) in Alberta Education, but according to Rocky View ATA 35 president and Bearspaw School teacher Michelle Glavine, the move could negatively affect students in RVS.
“Our current government, and (Alberta Education Minister) David Eggen recognized there might be some potential issues and decided to make the pilot optional,” she said. “They (are) going to take some time to study. I’m hoping that the government finds that the problems are significant enough to get rid of them.
“It’s disappointing that our school division has decided to go ahead with the pilot.”
As reported in the Sept. 22 edition of the Rocky View Weekly, Grade 3 students in RVS are the first in the division to participate in the pilot, with an eye on eventual implementation with Grade 6 and 9 students.
Two computer-based tests, focused on literacy and numeracy, are completed by Grade 3 students at the beginning of the year. Former education minister Jeff Johnson cited a desire to identify students needs at the beginning of the year as the reason to shift from the PATs to the SLAs.
“We haven’t seen the results from these, but with any shift it’s to try to get what you would refer to as a formative assessment, and that’s designed to improve (education),” said RVS Associate Superintendent of Learning Dave Morris.
RVS began preparing Grade 2 students in the division in anticipation of the tests. Glavine cited the time required to complete the tests as well as pressures on students as they start a new school year as among concerns she had with SLAs.
“(Getting rid) of the PATs, that would be something that I would support. A lot of this (type of) testing is not authentic assessment and I think that we have better ways of doing that assessment and building that relationship,” she said. “The SLAs are much worse, but I’m not saying I’d like to go back.
“I really think that teachers know where their students are. I know where my students are working, I don’t need a five-hour government test to tell me where my students are. I’d rather take that time – just testing isn’t helping them learn.”
RVS will provide additional money for teachers to mark SLAs beyond allotments from Alberta Education.
“(SLAs are) mandated by the province,” RVS Director of Communications Angela Spanier said. “(Parents) should feel confident that these assessments are giving our teachers information.
“At the end of the day, it benefits their child.”
