ETS Canada - Educational Testing Serivce Canada, Inc.
Newsletter for K-12 educators, November 2010www.etscanada.ca
Dramatic change in role of assessment and grading
 
The following article is excerpted from the foreword to Educators' Resource Guide: Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting of Student Achievement. The guide is written by staff at the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and will be published by ETS Canada in 2011. This foreword is written by Damian Cooper. 
                                                 
The fundamental purpose of assessment, evaluation, and reporting in public education is undergoing significant change. Until quite recently, over the course of a term or semester, teachers were expected to sift and sort students into those who are highly successful, those who are moderately successful, and those who are unsuccessful. This sorting process involved comparing one student's achievement with the achievements of his or her peers. A teacher was deemed to have appropriately "high standards" if, come reporting time, there were some, but not too many "A" students, larger numbers of "B" and "C" students, some "D" students, and a few students who had failed. Historically, this norm-referenced model of assessment and grading served as a means of determining, ultimately, who would proceed to higher education and who would go directly into the work force where academic knowledge and skills were not necessarily prerequisites for gainful employment. 

  

ETS offers opportunity to earn funds for your school or community group

 

Looking for a fundraising program where you don't have to ask people for money? ETS Canada is offering donations to schools, sports teams, clubs and charities that participate in our piloting of an aptitude test.

 

ETS is working with a major government organization to develop a newer version of an aptitude test. In order to complete this project, we must pilot the questions with a sample of participants from across Canada. 

 

To take part all you have to do is organize a testing session with at least 20 participants.

 

Who can take the test? Participants must be between the age of 17 and 42. They can be students, teachers, parents and community members.

 

How much will we be paid? ETS will pay $500 for a minimum of 20 participants plus $25 for each additional person. For example, if you have 100 people you will receive $2,500.

 

How long does the test take? Between 2 and 2.5 hours.

 

For complete information please email Rob Pritchard or call him at 1-800-615-8666.

 
Online writing program encourages students to revise essays
 
Several elementary and secondary schools across Canada are using the ETS Criterion Online Writing Service to help their students improve writing skills.

With the program, students write their essays online and receive feedback from both their teacher and the patented ETS essay evaluation program. Students can use this feedback to revise their essays and improve their writing skills.

Contact Doug Ronson at ETS Canada for more information. 
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Special pricing until November 30 on student engagement survey
 
ETS Canada is offering special pricing until November 30 on its Student Orientation to School survey.

Recent research indicates that social and emotional factors play a key role in the success of both students and schools. The SOS program helps improve high school completion rates by identifying students who may be at risk of dropping out. We provide effective intervention strategies to assist these students and build stronger schools.

Until Nov. 30, you can purchase the SOS survey for just $1.75 per student.

Contact Doug Ronson at ETS Canada for more information. 

Contact us

Phone: 1-800-615-8666
 
If you have questions, please contact Doug Ronson. He can be reached at 613-542-3368 or at:

ronson@etscanada.ca
Listening, Learning, Leading