Learning & 

Teaching.

Data Driven Planning 

How do teachers know what to teach?

As children progress through their school years, it is very important that checks are made along the way to see how well they are learning the essential skills of reading, writing and mathematics – skills that will set them upon the path to success as adults. At St Joseph’s each week teachers engage in an ongoing cycle of learning. This cycle of learning is driven by the evidence and data that teachers collect about each student. In the past this data was often gathered through formal paper and pen testing, however research shows that this is often limiting and does not always present what students' true strengths are and most importantly what they need to learn next. 

To ensure teachers are engaging all students at their appropriate level, they collect evidence and data from a number of sources, including:

• Work samples
• One to one conferences
• Open ended tasks
• Observations
• Evidence tables
• Standardised testing for Mathematics and Literacy.
• Tracking on continuums of learning
• And many more

This data helps teachers to understand the knowledge and skills each student has in a particular area and how they can support them to continue to grow in their skills and knowledge. It also helps to identify students who need more support or intervention, as well as those students who are ready to be challenged and extended in their learning. 

This week, Year 3 and 5 students will also take part in NAPLAN (The National Assessment Program – Literacy and Numeracy). This is another form of data that is collected by schools at a point-in-time to check in on how students are progressing in literacy and numeracy. This data along with the data collected by teachers throughout the year are used to create goals for student learning and to ensure all students continue to grow and flourish.

Later this term we will be having Learning Conversations where parents are invited to come and discuss their child’s progress in learning, however parents you are welcome at any time to come and talk to your child’s teacher about their learning.

Click on the links below to go straight to your child's Home Learning Community page.