Communicating Student Learning with Proficiency Scales

Victoria West Elementary will be involved in piloting a provincial initiative for the 2022-2023 school year that will see all classroom teachers use Proficiency Scales to communicate student learning.  A change in reporting practice can be seen across the province, as school districts work to align themselves with the Ministry of Education’s reporting policy and with BC’s curriculum. We anticipate that by the 2023-2024 school year, all schools province-wide will be using the Proficiency Scales.

Where We Were?
The move to Proficiency Scales is a shift away from using traditional letter grades: A, B, C+, C, … and/or a performance scale: Not Yet Meeting (1), Approaching Expectations (2), Meeting Expectation (3) and Exceeding Expectations (4).

Why the Shift?
Proficiency Scales are based on communicating and describing each student’s growth and progression along a continuum of learning. All reports will continue to reflect strengths, areas for improvement and ways to deepen learning. When guiding and informing the learning of our students, we encourage our student to ask themselves:   Where am I now?  Where am I going? How do I get there?

 

PROFICIENCY LEVEL

 

 

Emerging

 

 

Developing

 

 

Proficient

 

 

Extending

 

The student is beginning to demonstrate basic knowledge in relation to the learning standards

 

Works with ongoing support

 

The student demonstrated some knowledge in relation to learning standards

 

Works with some support

The student demonstrated good knowledge in relation to the learning standards

 

Works independently

The student demonstrated knowledge beyond the learning standards

 

Works independent and can support the learning of others

It is important for families to receive information and be engaged about their child(ren)’s learning. The shift to the Proficiency Scale will:

  • Focus on learning as a continuous process
  • Support a better understanding of learning; focus on next steps
  • Promote a growth-mindset or a belief that we can all get better
  • Foster hope and a culture of learning

Please feel free to contact the school if you have any questions or click HERE for more information.