NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Public Schools – Leading the Way www.det.nsw.edu.au

• Teachers should have a number of sources from which they can derive information on each student to support the comments that are made on each report.

• The most commonly used sources of information are:– examples of student work– test results – student portfolios – formal and informal student observations.

Information sources teachers should use when writing report comments

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Public Schools – Leading the Way www.det.nsw.edu.au

Use plain language

• use jargon-free language in reports to parents• select language that is easily understood by the

school community• avoid professional terminology.

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Public Schools – Leading the Way www.det.nsw.edu.au

Example of plain language • Sara can work out the meaning from the context when

listening for main ideas in an Arabic text. • Sara can maintain a simple conversation using a range

of vocabulary and expressions within a given topic. • When reading simple texts Sara can identify specific

information. • Sara can create and write simple passages using known

language structures in Arabic and using Arabic script. • Sara needs to further develop her creative writing of

Arabic.

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Public Schools – Leading the Way www.det.nsw.edu.au

Activity • In the participants’ notes refer to

the comment starters and choose two student profiles.

• With the group at your table or in a pair write a comment on each student using the comment starters as a guide only.

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Public Schools – Leading the Way www.det.nsw.edu.au

Use evidence in comments• Base judgements of student achievement

of syllabus outcomes on quality evidence.

• Written comments about areas of strengths and areas for further development should be based on the evidence that led to the overall judgment.

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Public Schools – Leading the Way www.det.nsw.edu.au

Focus on key aspects• Identify those aspects of achievement that

are the most important.

• Select the most important aspects of the student’s achievement and areas for improvement.

• Make links between the areas of achievement specific to languages, student strengths and areas for further development.

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Public Schools – Leading the Way www.det.nsw.edu.au

Comment structure• Identify areas of strength and areas for further

development in the language. • Focus specifically on achievement against syllabus

standards.• Avoid comments that only relate to a student’s task

completion or other issues unrelated to achievement. • Provide a clear picture of necessary next steps for

the student.• Avoid predictions.

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Public Schools – Leading the Way www.det.nsw.edu.au

General Comment

• Report comments should be written in a positive tone. There is always something positive to say about a student.

• Use the information from the Other School Activities, Commitment to Learning, and Social Development grids to elaborate on and construct the general comment.

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Public Schools – Leading the Way www.det.nsw.edu.au

Report writing checklistReport Area Actions to complete Completed

Languages Comments Identifies areas of strength in the language

Identifies areas for further development in the language

Comments focus on the most important aspects

General Comment Written in a positive tone

Expands on ‘Other School Activities’, ‘Commitment to Learning’ and ‘Social Development’

Other School Activities Recorded

Commitment to Learning Recorded

Social Development Recorded

Overall Report is written in clear, plain language

No repetition of comments

Comment matches overall achievement and effort

Absences

Signed

Self Editing Spelling

Grammar

Punctuation

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Public Schools – Leading the Way www.det.nsw.edu.au

Where to from here?

• The DET websitehttp://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au

• BOS ARC websitehttp://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au

• DET new reporting for teachers and parents http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/timetoteach/newreporting/prim_intro.htm

NSW Department of Education & Training

NSW Public Schools – Leading the Way www.det.nsw.edu.au

Activity

• Read the French COGS unit on Being Australian for Stage 2. Focus on the planned assessment.

• In pairs or threes create an assessment notification using the proforma in the booklet.

• Questions to consider:• What outcomes do you want to achieve?• What grade/mark would you allocate to this task?• What will the criteria be and what will the students

be required to do?