Monitoring, Assessing and Reporting Student Progress

The Curriculum Framework

All instrumental music programs address the outcomes of the Curriculum Framework and the Outcomes and Standards Framework. Reporting on student progress is done within the parameters of current reporting policy and practice as required by the Department of Education.

Reporting - Current Practice

Student progress is monitored through ongoing observation and testing (formative assessment). Assessment of skills and knowledge is combined with other data, such as attendance and attitude, to form a student profile for reporting to the student and parents (summative assessment).

Instrumental music teachers are required to:

• Assess the individual student's level of musical achievement at the commencement of study, and use this information to plan a program of study for the individual or group
• Monitor and report on the progress of individual students to parents through the Instrumental Music Student Journal and personal contact when required
• Report formally using the SIS Reporting to Parents program for each student and school
• Liaise with colleagues concerning the comparability of student assessments
• Work with the Curriculum Council's quality assurance mechanisms for Year 11 and 12 subjects

Early in the new school year, instrumental music teachers will provide students and the school with summaries of:

• The proposed program of study
• The assessment program and the criteria against which progress will be recorded

Assessment will be in accordance with current policy and will be compatible with school assessment practices. The school is responsible for collecting and collating the instrumental music and classroom music assessments and for reporting to parents.

The Primary Certificate

If desired, primary students may be issued with a certificate to indicate merit in their effort and/or achievement during or at the end of the year. These certificates are normally awarded by the instrumental music teacher through the school, and are often presented at assemblies or similar occasions.

Monitoring unsatisfactory progress

The instrumental music teachers will notify the school and parents about students who are not making satisfactory progress. The school's assessment policy will dictate the action required for students who are clearly at risk of not achieving satisfactory outcomes. Generally, students not making satisfactory progress would not expect to continue in the program.