Assessment

Assessment is diagnostic (in that it provides accurate information with regard to student-strengths and weaknesses) and formative (in that it facilitates improved student performance through feedback, guidance and affirmation). Students are provided with journals in which they record their personal responses to their experiences in a variety of activities. In subject modules, they are assessed in a number of ways consistent with the overall framework of assessment for Transition Year outlined in Section A.

Two reports are provided to parents during the year – at Christmas report and an end of year report.

Certification

Transition Year certification is college-based, departing from the normal system dominated by national certification. In May, a Graduation Ceremony is organised where students will receive their Oatlands College Transition Year Certificates (awarded with Distinction, Merit or Pass). The core team and the Principal decide on the level of each certificate based on the on-going assessments, a portfolio, attendance records and level of participation and contribution. The students also receive a portfolio of certificates providing recognition of their successful participation in activities such as the Law Programme, the First Aid Course and Delphi Adventure Centre. Guidelines for Certification are included below:

• Guidelines for Certification
• Oatlands College Certificates
• Department of Education Certificate
• Law Programme and Law Trials Certificates
• Order of Malta Corp Certificate
• Sailing Course Certificate
• Horticulture Farm Studies Programme Certificate
• Roseweek Certificate
• Edmund Rice Awards Certificate

GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION

Four Grades (No Certificate awarded for ‘Fail’):

80% - 100%                   Distinction

60% - 79%                     Merit

40% - 59%                     Pass

0% - 39%                       Fail

The following criteria are important:

Portfolio (Knowledge and Skills)

Attitude, Initiative and Reliability

Attendance and Punctuality

Journal

Transition Year Portfolio Guidelines

• The Portfolio must be submitted in a large spiral folder with your name on a label at the front
• Dividers must be used to separate the items
• It will have a large influence on your grade for the year

 Colm Kehoe,

Transition Year Co-Ordinator.