At Joane Cardinal-Schubert High School, students, parents, and teachers will have many conversations about assessment.  These conversations will be important to broaden our understanding of assessment as essential factors for learning, growth and future goals, not just marks.  Assessment happens on a daily basis - during class time, throughout the year, and during report card times.  Our assessment will focus on outcomes and skills put forward by Alberta Education .

Outcomes - Statements from the programs of study that describe what students are expected to know and be able to do in a subject.

Students can expect to complete a variety of tasks (tests, assignments, presentations, self-assessments, etc.) to show what they know.  Teachers will assess work through conversations/observations/rubrics.  Some tasks will be a part of ongoing formative feedback to determine next step of student learning.  Some tasks will be summative and compare student achievement against what is required.  On report cards, students will see both percentages (as required by Alberta Education) and comments.  Students and parents should visit teachers' learning management systems regularly for ongoing assessment information.

Report Card Dates

Please see our Calendar page for dates.

Mark Appeal Process

According to Calgary Board of Education Administrative Regulation #3018 Section 6 December 2005, “1. A student may appeal a school-based mark by following the school’s school-based marks appeal procedures.
2. The decision of the principal regarding school-based marks is deemed to be the final decision of the Calgary Board of Education.”

Appeal Procedures

Published appeal days are designated at the end of each semester. A student who wishes to question a mark during or at the end of a semester must follow the procedures outlined below.

Students are responsible to:

• Complete and hand in work on time. 
• Write tests or examinations at the assigned time. 
• Communicate with the teacher. 
• Have a parent communicate/explain any absence with appropriate support such as a doctor’s note for Final Examinations. 
• Make up any missed work. An explained absence does not excuse the student from work missed. 
• Check in PowerSchool that class marks and interim reports are accurately recorded. 
• Check in PowerSchool the posted final marks before the appeal date. 
• Recognize that any absences will adversely affect achievement.

Teachers are responsible to:

• Provide each student a course outline. 
• Communicate with students and parents. 
• Inform students in advance of marking or grading criteria for assignments. 
• Be knowledgeable about and follow department, school and CBE guidelines regarding student achievement.

Parents are responsible to:

• Be informed about the achievement of their student(s). 
• Attend Parent/Teacher/Student Conferences. 
• Inform the school in writing of the reasons for a student’s absence and provide appropriate support such as a telephone call for tests or a doctor’s note for Final Examinations. (See exemptions) 
• Recognize that any absences will adversely affect achievement.

Class Work

Frequent and regular communication regarding student achievement is essential throughout the course of a semester. Students, parents and teachers are asked to follow the steps listed below.

• A student should speak directly to the teacher as soon as possible after receiving the mark. 
• If the appeal has not been resolved by conversation between the student and teacher, parents are invited to speak with the teacher.

In the unusual event that a student, parents and teacher cannot agree, any one of the parties may appeal to the Learning Leader who will:

• Work with the student and teacher to resolve the appeal.

In the extraordinary event that the situation is still unresolved, the Learning Leader will be informed and work with the Assistant Principal to resolve the appeal.

Final course marks

• A specific appeal time is advertised each semester by teachers and by the school. 
• For Diploma Examinations, the appeal is of the school mark and occurs before the end of the classes each semester. 
• Students must speak with teacher(s) prior to, or during, the advertised time. 
• If the appeal is unresolved, the student makes an appeal to the Learning Leader during the appeal time. 
• The Learning Leader informs and, as necessary, works with the Assistant Principal to resolve the appeal. 
• The Learning Leader may resolve the appeal at that time OR may set up a later meeting to discuss the appeal at a mutually agreed upon time. The student should invite their parents to attend. 
• If, after following the above steps one through four, an agreement has not been reached, a final mark may be appealed in writing to the Principal. 
• The Principal will reply in writing and that decision is final. This is Calgary Board of Education policy. Parents and independent students are advised that the decision of the principal may be reviewable by the Minister under section 123 of the School Act.