‘every child is unique’
CISB actively facilitates the understanding that every child is unique. Every child therefore has their own unique identity and understanding of the world. CIS Beijing personalises each child’s unique learning journey, from arrival through to their graduation by building on each child’s unique background and experiences to allow them to develop and grow into the best version of themselves as effective communicators, independent critical thinkers, and responsible global citizens.
Assessment for Learning (AfL)
The core that runs throughout High-Quality Learning and Teaching at CIS Beijing is a school-wide focus on Assessment for Learning.
Decades of educational research into learning have consistently demonstrated that Assessment for Learning (AfL) is a highly effective approach in improving learning. John Hattie’s research shows that effective, ongoing feedback is one of the most impactful factors on student achievement, (Visible Learning, 2011). Assessment for Learning (AfL) strategies have been shown by Black and Wiliam’s research; formative assessment significantly boosts student achievement compared to summative assessment (tests and exams). John Hattie’s meta-analysis validates that AfL strategies enhance metacognitive skills, self-perception, and motivation.
In Assessment for Learning, the teacher provides ongoing targeted feedback to the learner on where and how to improve which is then used to improve students’ performance. Students become more involved in the learning process and from this gain confidence in what they are expected to learn and to what standard.
Personalised Learning Plans
Teachers at CISB provide ongoing personalized feedback targeted for each student to support learning growth and raise achievement through their Personalized Learning Plans (PLPs) for each student across the school.
CISB teachers provide students with ongoing, specific, and timely feedback that helps them improve their learning strategies. To ensure that the feedback has a positive effect, it is task-focused, timely, specific, clear and unbiased. The feedback includes usable information about how students are doing and how they can improve to reach their goal.
