e-asTTle writing – Background information
e-asTTle writing is an online assessment tool designed to assess students’ progress in writing from years 1–10.
e-asTTle writing and the New Zealand Curriculum
e-asTTle supports teachers in assessing aspects of writing-to-communicate across the curriculum.
The e-asTTle writing tool has been informed by:
- the broad concept of using writing as a tool to support specific learning purposes across the curriculum
- students’ writing
- the requirements for a rigorous, standardised assessment tool.
- the understanding that e-asTTle assesses using "writing to communicate" and general writing competence but does not assess using "writing to think about and record" across the curriculum.
Information used to support teacher decision making
Teachers use various methods, including learning conversations, observations, and standardised assessment tools like e-asTTle, to comprehensively understand students' strengths and areas for improvement. These methods collectively form a "healthy triangle" of assessment, with standardised tools being just one component of the overall picture.
A rich picture of achievement for an individual student
Teachers create a detailed profile for each student that encompasses writing as a tool for achieving specific learning objectives across the curriculum. This profile includes the use of e-asTTle writing as a reliable and accurate assessment tool but also incorporates other methods like student tasks and conversations across various subject areas to provide a complete understanding of the student's abilities.
Using e-asTTle writing
Teachers choose a writing prompt that best fits their students' abilities to show their knowledge and skills within "writing as communication’" They assess their students' skills using a rubric and exemplars and through moderation processes. This helps them understand their students' current level and identify areas where they need to improve. Teachers and students can then discuss the writing together, set goals for improvement, and work together to achieve those goals.
- Resources to support the revised e-asTTle writing tool