Assessment

Intense, cumulative exams? Stressful, standardised tests? No thanks– especially in primary education!

At bina, we check in on our students’ progress across all subjects on a daily basis. We provide frequent, helpful, and actionable feedback to students and their families about academic, social, and emotional development. Here’s how:

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We keep track of our students’ progress by engaging in formative assessment on a daily basis.

Here are some of the ways we assess our students:

Observation
Gamified tasks / quizzes / puzzles
Hands-on activities
Projects
Self-recorded reading or retelling
Conversations
If a more formalised test is needed, it’s done in a relaxed, one-on-one setting with a teacher.

How do teachers communicate progress with families?

Progress reports twice a year as an official way to provide feedback to families.
We also set meetings at the end of each quarter with your child’s teacher to discuss your child’s progress.
Throughout the quarter, you are able to check in on your child’s progress at any time by logging in to the different platforms we use– those are updated every day.
You are also welcome to arrange a meeting with your child’s teacher at any time.

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Using inspiration from curricula around the world, we crafted an international primary programme and then dissected the standards into micro-credentials. (Micro-credentials break down large, complex skills into smaller, simpler targets – they help us keep an objective account of where students stand and where they are headed.)

The micro-credentials are categorised into three types:

skills (“I can”)
knowledge (“I understand”)
disposition (“I exhibit”)

Micro-credentials specify and certify the outcomes of short-term learning experiences. We’re able to accurately assess our students’ progress and provide timely, actionable feedback to learners and their families.

Then, we can use that feedback to personalise lessons and provide attainable ways for students to work toward specific goals.

Why does bina use micro-credentials?

Encourages students to take responsibility for their own learning

Providing students with explicit learning intentions and success criteria is proven to increase motivation and focus. Micro-credentials give students a sense of agency in their own education journey.

Gives students a healthier outlook on assessment

We continually remind our students that assessment is not the goal; assessment is just part of the learning process. We’ve found that continuous feedback that is timely and specific (rather than a rigid, larger assessment that is only given every once in a while) gives educators and learners more insight into their progress.

Promotes a culture of lifelong learning

Micro-credentials provide a powerful way for students to take more ownership of their learning, which results in greater confidence and more self-motivation within their own education. We understand the importance of encouraging curiosity, galvanizing an intrinsic pursuit of knowledge, and instilling the essential mindset that learning never ends.

ASSESSMENT

keeping track of students' progress

Why does bina use micro-credentials?

Encourages students to take responsibility for their own learning

Gives students a healthier outlook on assessment

Promotes a culture of lifelong learning