All of the academic departments have listed progress reports and report cards as a means to reporting achievement. Samples of student work are either returned to students with comments or used in portfolios, PET evaluations, and art exhibitions. Student achievement in band or chorus is represented through public concerts, ensemble festivals, rehearsal, and performance exams. Faculty is involved in a continuing and evolutionary process of developing curriculum and instruction. In certain departments, there is increased use of common rubrics in connection with core assignments, assuring the presence of common performance standards, regardless of the teacher.
Departments use a variety of assessment tools to accommodate varied learning styles.
Within most departments, collaboration among teachers establishes assessment strategies and common rubrics. A formalized process is in place for dissemination of test results to students, parents, and faculty. The lack of use of assessment data to inform decisions regarding staff development and in service needs. The school's inability to show that students are meeting social expectations set forth in the school's statement of purpose 3. The lack of staff development to discuss assessment as a whole faculty.