• Foster hope and a joy of learning
• Allow students to learn from their mistakes by giving good descriptive feedback relative to clear learning goals/targets
• Provide multiple opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning 
• Recognize student growth over time 
• Support meaningful student input 
• Encompass a wide variety of tools, besides tests and major exams

• Not having a block of time for mid-year exams (5 days) and lead up time for review and study will increase time for student learning
• Traditionally high schools have relied heavily on mid-year and final exams (summative assessment) to tell us "what students know"
• Tests are only one way to access learning. 
• Research tells us that there are other types of assessments that tell us "what students know" and also inform further student learning and teaching practices 
• Assessment practices which include giving students descriptive feedback relative to clear learning goals is highly efffective (formative assessment) 
• Learning from mistakes is critical and providing more assessments opportunities supporting this approach should improve overall learning and success for our students

• Increase learning time for students 
• More focus on other types of assessments, besides major exams 
• Course Descriptors (NLESD website) outlining the assessment plan for each course in grades 7-12 will still be used 
• Forty schools involved across the district 
• Overall student achievement will be monitored in the pilot schools for a 3 year period

Talk to your students about the importance of being in school on a regular basis and completing all of their course work and assessments to the best of their ability and on time

If you have any questions about the No Midyear Exam Pilot Project, contact the school's administrator.