Teaching & Assessment

We provide more than mere knowledge.

Teaching and assessment are interconnected elements that shape the educational landscape at Future International Academy. By embracing innovative teaching methodologies, diverse assessment strategies, and a commitment to personalized learning, we aim to cultivate not only academically proficient individuals but also lifelong learners who are equipped to thrive in an ever-evolving world. Together, as a community dedicated to excellence, we embark on a journey of knowledge, discovery, and continuous improvement.

Teaching and Learning

In the pursuit of academic excellence, the role of educators is paramount. At Future International Academy we take pride in adopting and refining teaching practices that transcend conventional methods. There are multiple best teaching practices employed by our dedicated faculty, outlining how these approaches foster a vibrant learning community and prepare students for success.

Student-Centered Learning

At the core of our teaching philosophy is a commitment to student-centered learning. Our educators actively engage students in the learning process, encouraging questions, discussions, and hands-on experiences. By placing students at the center of their educational journey, we aim to cultivate curiosity, critical thinking, and a genuine passion for knowledge.

Differentiated Instruction

Recognizing the diverse learning styles and abilities within our student body, our teachers embrace differentiated instruction. Lessons are tailored to accommodate various learning paces and preferences, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to grasp and apply the material. This approach promotes inclusivity and empowers students to thrive in their unique strengths.

Incorporating Technology

In a world increasingly shaped by technology, we embrace its integration into the learning environment. Smart classrooms, interactive whiteboards, using augmented reality and digital resources are seamlessly woven into lessons, creating an immersive and dynamic educational experience. By leveraging technology, we prepare students for the digital landscape they will encounter beyond the classroom.

Active Learning Strategies

Learning is not a passive endeavor, and our teachers employ active learning strategies to keep students engaged. Whether through group activities, collaborative projects, or real-world simulations, we create an interactive atmosphere that transcends traditional rote memorization. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of concepts and encourages students to apply their knowledge in practical scenarios.

Formative Assessment Practices

Assessment is not solely an endpoint but an ongoing process that informs and guides instruction. Our educators implement formative assessment practices, including regular quizzes, peer evaluations, and self-assessment tools, to gauge student understanding in real-time. This iterative feedback loop allows for timely adjustments to teaching methods, ensuring that no student is left behind.

Promoting Critical Thinking

Beyond the memorization of facts, our teachers emphasize the development of critical thinking skills. Students are encouraged to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information, fostering a deeper understanding of subjects. This approach equips students with the ability to approach challenges with a problem-solving mindset, a skill crucial for success in higher education and the workforce.

At Future International Academy, our commitment to providing an exceptional education extends to the implementation of these best teaching practices. By embracing student-centered learning, differentiated instruction, technology integration, active learning strategies, formative assessment practices, and the promotion of critical thinking, we create an environment where students not only acquire knowledge but also develop the skills and mindset needed for a lifetime of learning and success. Together, we shape futures, one lesson at a time.

Assessment

Rationale

At Future International Academy, we believe that assessment provides the basis of informed teaching, helping pupils to overcome difficulties and ensuring that teaching builds upon what has been learned. It is also the means by which students understand what they have achieved and what they need to work on. Assessment plays an important part in helping parents, teachers and the school to recognize children’s progress, understand their needs, and to plan activities and support. Once a child is admitted to the school, there will be ongoing assessments made of your child’s progress.

Aims and Objectives

To raise the standards of achievement throughout the school
To maintain accurate records of the progress and attainment of individual children and cohorts
To ensure consistency in assessing achievement and identifying achievable and challenging targets for each child
To enable the active involvement of pupils in their own learning
To enable teachers and other professionals to use assessment judgements to plan work that accurately reflects the needs of individual pupils
To provide regular information for parents that enables them to support their child’s learning
To provide the information that allows school leaders and governors to make judgements about the effectiveness of the school and to evaluate the school’s performance against its own previous attainment over time and against national standards

Types of Assessment

a. Formative Assessment (Assessment for Learning)

Formative assessment is a powerful way of raising pupils’ achievement. It is based on the principle that pupils will improve most if they understand the aim of their learning, where they are in relation to this aim and how they can achieve the aim. These include differentiated activities, cooperative work, graded worksheets and graded projects.
Formative assessments are used to:

Identify children’s strengths and gaps in their skills/knowledge
Identify next steps for learning
Inform future planning
Enable appropriate strategies to be employed
Facilitate the setting of appropriate targets for the class, group, and individual
Track the child’s rate of progress
Facilitate an evaluation of the effectiveness of teaching and learning
Inform future teaching and learning strategies
Identify individuals and groups for specific intervention support.

b. Summative Assessment – Assessment of Learning

Summative assessment (Assessment of Learning) is important for informing both parents and teachers of a child’s attainment and progress. This will also inform whole school target setting and prediction of a cohort’s future attainment. These include quizzes, mid-semester and final semester exams. In addition, the school conducts a diagnostic test at the beginning of the year in the main subjects (Science, Math, English and Arabic from Kg to 12) to identify gaps in learning and prepare the action plan for each student accordingly.
Summative assessments are used to:

Identify attainment through one-off standardized tests at any given point in time
Record performance in a specific area on a specific date
Provide age standardized information
Provide end of key stage test data against which the school will be judged
Ensure statutory assessments at the end of EYFS, KS1 and KS2 are met
Provide information about cohort areas of strength and weakness to build from in the future.

c. Internal assessments

KG section
Students have continuous assessments throughout the year, two assessments (check points) in each semester
Cycle 1 (grades 1 to 5)
Students have contentious assessment throughout the year, 5 assessments in each semester
Cycles 2 and 3 (grades 6 to 12)
Students have mid-semester and final exams in each semester in addition to short quizzes to measure their understanding level.

Exam Policies and Instructions

No printed / written assessments – all assessments are conducted online (using Schoology mainly).
Camera is required during the mid-semester and final exams. If the camera is not opened, then the exam is not valid and the student will sit up for a redo one.
The duration of mid-semester exam is 60 minutes while the duration of final exam is 90 minutes.

d. External assessments

MAP Test MAP, or the Measure of Academic Progress, is a computerized adaptive test which helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child’s academic growth. This assessment is designed to target a student’s academic performance in mathematics, reading, language and science. These tests are tailored to an individual’s current achievement level. This gives each student a fair opportunity to show what he or she knows and can do. Because the computer adjusts the difficulty of the questions as the test progresses, each student takes a unique test. The students from Grade 1 to Grade 11 has a MAP Exam throughout the year for three windows (Winter, Fall, and Spring) with the subjects of Mathematics, Reading, Language and Science form grades 3 to 9. Grade 10 sits for PSAT to prepare them for the SAT exams in grades 11 and 12 Grades 11 and 12 sit for SAT and IELTS/TOEFL exams. Grade 12 sits for the EMSAT (Arabic, English, MATH, Physics, and Chemistry). AP Test AP Exams are standardized exams designed to measure how well students have mastered the content and skills of a specific AP course. The AP courses are offered in grades 11 and 12 for Math, English and Science. Students will have internal school exams in addition to the external exams that are offered by the end of the academic year; mainly in May and June. Students are notified time ahead to register.

In the journey of education, assessments play a pivotal role in shaping students’ understanding, guiding instructional strategies, and measuring progress. At Future International Academy, we believe in fostering a holistic approach to assessment that goes beyond traditional tests. Here is a summary of some of the best assessment practices implemented at our institution, designed to nurture individual growth, encourage critical thinking, and prepare students for success in a dynamic world.

Diverse Assessment Methods

Variety is the spice of education, and our assessment practices reflect this ethos. We embrace a diverse range of assessment methods, including but not limited to traditional exams, projects, presentations, portfolios, and collaborative assessments. This multifaceted approach ensures that students’ abilities are measured across different dimensions, catering to various learning styles and strengths.

Formative Assessments for Real-Time Feedback

Formative assessments are an integral part of our teaching and assessment strategy. These assessments occur throughout the learning process, providing real-time feedback to both students and teachers. Whether through quizzes, discussions, or interactive activities, formative assessments allow educators to gauge understanding and make timely adjustments to their teaching methods, promoting continuous improvement.

Performance-Based Assessments

Beyond written exams, our assessment practices emphasize performance-based evaluations. Students are encouraged to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios through projects, simulations, and practical assessments. This approach not only measures comprehension but also equips students with the skills needed for success in higher education and the professional world.

Authentic Assessments

Authentic assessments mirror real-world challenges and require students to apply their knowledge and skills in meaningful ways. This could include solving problems, conducting research, or creating tangible artifacts. By incorporating authentic assessments, we aim to bridge the gap between classroom learning and the demands of the world beyond school.

Portfolios for Comprehensive Growth Tracking

Portfolios provide a comprehensive view of a student’s academic journey. These curated collections of work showcase a student’s progress, achievements, and areas for improvement over time. Portfolios not only serve as a reflective tool for students but also offer a holistic perspective for parents and educators to track individual growth and development.

Inclusive and Differentiated Assessments

Recognizing the diverse needs of our student body, our assessments are designed to be inclusive and differentiated. Accommodations are made to ensure that students with varying learning styles, abilities, and backgrounds can demonstrate their understanding effectively. This commitment to inclusivity reflects our belief in providing equal opportunities for success.

At Future International Academy, our approach to assessments extends beyond the confines of traditional testing. By incorporating diverse assessment methods, formative assessments for real-time feedback, performance-based evaluations, authentic assessments, portfolios, and inclusive practices, we aim to create an assessment landscape that not only measures academic proficiency but also fosters a love for learning, critical thinking, and individual growth. Together, we empower our students with the skills and mindset needed to navigate the complexities of the modern world.

How you can reach us?

Feel free to contact us

P.O. Box 90167
New Sarooj St. Al Ain Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Send us your Query

Phone: +971 3 764 6888
Email: fia.info@fischools.com

All queries are replied during school hours.

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