All students in Grades 4 and 7 in B.C. take part in the Foundation Skills Assessment (FSA), an annual assessment of
reading comprehension, writing and numeracy (math skills). The assessments are based on the provincial
curriculum and are developed by classroom teachers.
The main purpose of the assessment is to help the Ministry of
Education, school districts and schools track how well students are learning core academic skills. The information
is used by the ministry, the district and by schools in planning for improvement.
The FSA provides a snapshot of how well students have learned important basic skills at a particular point in time.
The information is best used together with teacher assessments and other school information.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do we see the FSA results?
In previous years, the FSA was administered in late spring and the results were reported the following fall. For the current school year, students will be given the FSA in February.
In the spring, district and school-level results will be made
available to schools and the public. Individual student results, along with the answer booklets, will be sent
home with students by the end of March. This will give parents the opportunity to see the assessment items and
how their child responded.
Again, this is only a snapshot and does not provide a complete picture of your child’s
ability. That information is best obtained from your child’s teacher.
Does the FSA count toward students’ marks?
No. The results show a student’s skills at a particular point in time. They are not related to marks in a specific
subject or grade level but show progress in the development of foundations skills across grades and curriculum
areas. For example, students read in science and social studies as well as in language arts and they work with
numbers in activities or subjects besides math.
Who writes the FSA?
All Grade 4 and 7 students are expected to write the FSA. The only exceptions are
- a) students who have Individual
Education Plans (IEPs) documenting a learning disability directly related to reading, writing or numeracy;
- b)
students with IEPs who would need adaptations with which they are not familiar (e.g., readers, scribes); o
- c) ESL
students who have not yet reached a level of proficiency in English sufficient for them to provide meaningful
responses.
Principals determine which students, if any, are excused. If it is recommended that your child be
excused from one or more components, you will be contacted prior to the beginning of the assessment.
If you wish
further clarification, please consult your school principal. Students are encouraged to do their best as this helps the
province and school district make informed decisions about how best to provide resources to schools in order to
support learners.
Where can I get more information?
Information will be provided by the district and your school. You can also find information on the Ministry of
Education’s website.
Downloads
Download or print a copy of the district's Foundation Skills Assessment brochure for parents and guardians:
Adobe Reader is required to view district and ministry brochures.
Last Updated: January 4, 2010 |
