Assessment in MYP
Assessment in MYP comes with its own language and a unique grading system. Below, we will address a few frequently asked questions that are common from MYP parents and students:
What are these A, B, C, D Criteria?
All MYP subjects have students working towards four objectives - labeled as Criterion A, B, C and D. While these objectives are not the same in each subject, there are always four, labeled as A, B, C, D (see graphic below*). Each MYP assessment task (formative or summative) will be addressing one or more of these objectives. In their comments, our teachers will be indicating areas in which your child made progress, as well as ways in which your child can improve towards these course objectives.
How are grades applied towards these four objectives?
Accompanying grades are based on a scale from 1-8 for each objective/criterion, with 1-2 indicating limited progress/performance, 3-4 indicating progress/performance that is approaching expectations, 5-6 indicating progress/performance that is meeting expectations and 7-8 indicating progress/performance that meets expectations with sophistication.
What grade indicates my child is meeting grade level expectations?
A grade of 5 against any criterion is the benchmark for meeting grade level expectations. Any grade higher than 5 indicates your child is meeting expectations for their grade level with varying degrees of sophistication as we move from level 6-8 on the scale.
My child received a task grade lower than 5… should I be concerned?
A grade of 4 generally indicates your child is very close to reaching grade level outcomes, but may need further practice or slight improvement. A grade of 3 would indicate a passing grade, with the need for improvement. A grade of 1-2 would indicate significant interventions are required. Teachers will use assessment data in order to inform targeted classroom instruction to help all students as they work towards grade level objectives. Additionally, assessment data will inform how teachers group students for extra support during PIE (a flexible learning block that occurs 3-4 times throughout the week). Of course, if you have any questions or concerns about your child’s grades, please contact the teacher.
Wait a second…when I get my child’s report card the grades only go as high as 7, but tasks on ManageBac are graded on a scale of 1-8… am I missing something?
No you are not. Individual Criterion grades are assessed on a scale of 1-8 on a per task basis. At the end of each semester, our teachers will make a professional, evidence based judgment as to where your child’s performance best fits against each of the four Criterion in a given subject, over the course of the semester. These four grades are then added up to get a total score out of 32 possible points (max 8 points x 4 criteria). The total score is then compared to grade boundaries set by the IB to give students their overall grade for semester:
- 1-5 = 1: very limited performance towards/understanding of course outcomes
- 6-9 = 2: limited performance towards/understanding of course outcomes
- 10-14 = 3: acceptable performance towards/understanding of course outcomes (passing threshold)
- 15-18 = 4: approaching proficient performance towards/understanding of course outcomes
- 19-23 = 5: proficient performance towards/understanding of course outcomes
- 24-27 = 6: proficient, occasional sophisticated performance towards/understanding of course outcomes
- 28:-23 = 8: proficient, frequently sophisticated performance towards/understanding of course outcomes
Does this seem really complicated, or is it just me?
It is really complicated. The IB’s goal in both the MYP and DP was to create a grading system that was not reflective of any country’s national grading system. This means, unless you were an MYP or DP student, that this system of grading will be completely novel. Don’t worry - we are here to help! An upcoming Secondary School Principal Wine and Cheese evening will focus on grades and assessment in both the MYP and DP.
If you’d like to learn more about grades in the MYP, please contact our MYP Coordinator, Mike BondClegg at michael.bondclegg@aism-moz.com
*MYP Objectives (Criteria) in each course:
