Manitoba has updated its assessment policy with the release of the document Provincial Assessment Policy, Kindergarten to Grade 12, Education Minister Nancy Allan announced today.
“We are bringing forward a clear, easily understandable framework for educators, students and parents,” said Allan. “Under our updated policy, we are ensuring there is a consistent framework for the promotion or retention of students, academic honesty, and consequences for late and missing work.”
The updated policy reinforces the existing practice that decisions about passing students or holding them back when necessary are to be made by the school principal in consultation with teachers, parents and other specialists as appropriate.
“We recognize that a ‘one-size fits all’ approach does not work. School administrators, teachers and parents working together must have the prerogative and discretion to decide what is in the best interests of their individual students and children in terms of promotion and retention,” said Allan.
Consequences for late or missing work are also addressed in the updated policy document, in response to concerns the guidelines introduced in 1997 did not give teachers the flexibility they need.
“The ability to work according to timelines and meeting deadlines is an important skill which our students need to learn if they’re going to succeed both in and out of school,” said Allan. “Teachers will use their professional judgment to establish reasonable but firm expectations regarding those timelines, supporting the students in meeting those timelines expectations and applying consequences for late or missing work.”
The new policy also clarifies the expectations on students in regard to academic honesty.
“Students must understand the tests and exams they complete and the assignments they submit as evidence of learning must be their own work and that cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated,” said Allan.
Beginning Feb. 1, 2011, practices in Manitoba schools related to these areas will align with this new policy document, she said. School divisions in Manitoba will have until September 2011 to formalize divisional policies.
The updated policy document can be found online.
