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The assessment philosophy behind data-driven instruction at the International School of Denver

The assessment philosophy behind data-driven instruction at the International School of Denver

Our assessment philosophy at the International School of Denver aligns with the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework. Our assessment focuses on holistic, meaningful evaluations that go beyond numerical scores. This is to say that our assessment model is more than a point-in-time score on an arbitrary day once a year.

Instead, our assessments are continual and carefully designed to:

  • Monitor,
  • Document, 
  • Measure, and 
  • Report 

on student learning in ways that promote inquiry, critical thinking, and self-reflection. This student-centered approach brings awareness to individual student growth. The data therefore tells a story of a student’s growth in context to their ability, fostering a growth mindset and aptitude toward lifelong learning.

What’s more, our assessment informs instruction at an individual, class, grade, and division, and whole-school level. It is both real-time as it is cumulative, allowing us to track trends over time. 


Our goal is to assess growth over time, ensuring that each student’s individual progress is recognized and celebrated.

- Marzia Mauffrey, Assistant Head of Academics, Director of Upper Primary

The assessment framework is divided into four key components, each represented in the diagram with varying sizes to reflect its role and frequency within the learning process:

  1. Monitoring Learning (Largest Quadrant):
    Monitoring learning happens continuously in the classroom, where teachers observe student engagement, participation, and understanding. This constant process and feedback loop allows teachers to adjust instruction and provide immediate feedback, ensuring lessons are dynamic and responsive to student needs. This is the largest quadrant because it represents the most frequent and ongoing part of assessment. 

  2. Documenting Learning:
    Documenting learning involves collecting and organizing evidence of student progress, such as portfolios, projects, and reflective journals. We use two education platforms, Toddle and Managebac, to record the ongoing progress of students through feedback in formative and summative Assessments. This step provides a tangible record of what students have learned and how they have applied their knowledge over time. While it is a regular practice, it is more focused than general observation, which is why the quadrant is slightly smaller. In Toddle and Managebac you can see the ongoing progress of students through feedback in formative and summative Assessments.

  3. Measuring Learning:
    Measuring learning refers to formal assessments like quizzes, tests, and diagnostic tools, including MAP tests, Avant, and IXL , that evaluate student understanding against set benchmarks or standards. These assessments provide valuable data points but occur at specific moments rather than continuously, making this quadrant smaller.

  4. Reporting on Learning (Smallest Quadrant):
    Reporting on learning is how we communicate progress to students and parents through progress reports, parent-teacher conferences, and narrative feedback. This process occurs less frequently and serves as a summary of the other assessment components, which is why it is represented as the smallest quadrant. In January and May parents receive a full Progress Report.

Our assessment philosophy puts students at the center of their learning.

Our assessment framework ensures that the focus is on student growth, not just achievement. By monitoring and documenting learning regularly, we foster a classroom environment where feedback and reflection are integral to the learning process. Measuring and reporting provide checkpoints for evaluating progress but are not the sole measures of success.

This comprehensive approach empowers students to take ownership of their learning by engaging in self-assessment, setting personal goals, and understanding their academic journey. It also allows parents to be active partners in their child’s progress, supporting their growth both inside and outside of the classroom.

As we work together to support each student, we aim to build confident, capable learners who not only excel academically but also develop the resilience, adaptability, and inquiry skills they need to thrive in an interconnected world in the 21st century.

Our assessment philosophy drives data-driven instruction.

Assessment is decisive and informs our data-driven approach to teaching. In addition to putting students at the heart of learning, assessment at the International School of Denver:

  • Informs Instruction: Assessment data guides teachers in tailoring lessons to meet student needs in real-time.
  • Personalized Student Support: Identifies areas where students need enrichment or intervention, leading to small-group instruction, targeted feedback, and differentiated tasks.
  • Shapes Curriculum Development: Highlights trends that inform adjustments to scope and sequence, ensuring vertical and horizontal alignment across grades.
  • Supports Strategic Resource Allocation: Data helps determine where additional support, training, or tools are needed (e.g., adding literacy specialists or math enrichment programs).
  • Strengthens Teacher Collaboration: Teachers use data in collaborative planning sessions to share best practices and align instruction across subjects and grades.

At ISDenver, our mission is to develop globally minded, multilingual learners who thrive academically and personally, contributing to a more inclusive and interconnected world. Our vision is to foster a community of inquiry, curiosity, and collaboration, where students are empowered to pursue excellence and embody lifelong learning.

Central to this mission is our commitment to academic excellence and holistic growth, guided by data-driven instruction that supports every learner’s unique journey. By using meaningful assessments, we ensure that students not only meet high academic standards but also develop critical thinking, resilience, and self-reflection. Our focus on continuous improvement, informed by our mission and data, allows us to provide personalized support and challenge, helping each student grow into a confident, capable global citizen.

At ISDenver, data is more than a measurement tool—it is a way to tell the story of our students’ potential and celebrate their progress as lifelong learners.


Access our Assessment Data here.

 

 

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