MSP Photography / APPA Award Winner for 2009
8 Oct 2009
The 2009 MSP / APPA Award was won by Rensche Diggeden, Head of Primary at the Peter Moyes Anglican Community School, Mindarie, Western Australia.
Rensche tells us about her research project:
The increasing emphasis on raised academic standards and school accountability for student achievement has resulted in an increasing need for principals to be leaders in the field of school assessment policies and procedures. While we know that assessment is only one essential part of creating an effective school, research does indicate that school effectiveness and student achievement is maximised when assessments are accurate and relevant, involve students and provide informative feedback to caregivers. An effective assessment policy allows sound instructional decisions to be made.
The focus of my research will be to determine the role of the primary school principal in determining effective assessment strategies. What knowledge, skills and attitudes should school principals possess in order to lead their schools to effective assessment practices?
The award will allow me to explore issues such as:
- How can the primary school principal effectively monitor the assessment practices of teachers?
- How can primary school principals assist teachers to capture a vision of excellence in assessment to maximise student achievement?
- How can primary school principals improve and promote the dissemination and interpretation of assessment to the school community?
My plan is to visit Scotland, where they have successfully implemented a country wide “Assessment is for Learning” (AIFL) strategy. I am aware of school principals and school communities in Scotland which demonstrate outstanding examples of effective leadership in this area. I plan to also include the Scottish Education Authorities in my research, specifically the AIFL team who have been helpful in my enquiries thus far.
It would be my pleasure to share my findings with APPA, IPSHA and other school leaders and organisations. I hope that this research will assist in the provision of guidelines, ideas, examples and assistance to principals in addressing the issue of school assessment policies and translating this into effective practice in their schools.
I certainly hope to improve my own learning about and understanding of effective assessment in schools and my role therein.
