The MABEI assessment scale has received a passing grade from the South East Cornerstone Public School Division #209 since its inception in 2010.
However, questions still remain regarding the outcome-based reporting system, which has largely replaced percentages on most student report cards in the district.
Two representatives from the SECPSD- Cornerstone's Coordinator of Curriculum Aaron Hiske and Early Learning Coordinator Sandi Klatt-visited Carlyle's Gordon F. Kells High School to discuss progress regarding changes to the area's student assessment practices. They specifically discussed the benefits of the outcome-based reporting using the MABEI achievement scale for report cards instead of a percentage-based marking system.
The MABEI scale rates a student's progress in a subject area by using a subject scale that indicates whether they have mastered a subject, attained most knowledge, have attained some knowledge, are experiencing difficulty or have given insufficient evidence as to whether they have any knowledge of the subject matter.
“It gives the student, teachers and parents specific things a student should know how to do within a subject area,” says Klatt. “The grading becomes about a student meeting outcomes, which means it's useful information. We can see what specific skills they've attained and what skills they need to work on, rather than reporting on a subject in general.”
“It answers more questions than we could ever glean from a single percentage grade,” adds Hiske. “There are no surprises for parents coming into a meeting with their student, because parents view marks during the year and this system gives a detailed breakdown of a student's progress.”
Grades 10 to 12 students still receive percentage grades on their report cards, in addition to reporting which uses the MABEI method of assessment, because the provincial Ministry of Education requires percentages for students' post-secondary studies applications.
“The Ministry requires it,” says Hiske. “So those report cards are almost a hybrid. But the MABEI scale answers more questions than we could ever glean from a single percentage grade. And it lets the teacher know what supports a student needs to achieve a desired outcome.
GFK principal Maurice Saltel agrees, adding: “Outcome-based reporting is far more useful for the student.”
