We at Kumarans believe in creating a stress free environment for learning:hence it is only natural that the assessment system also is devised in a manner that is stress – free for the child. More than a decade ago the formal examination system was replaced by informal, continuous assessment.

Continuous assessment considers the child’s performance throughout the academic year in the following areas: written class work, home assignments, unit tests, work sheets and class room discussions. The grades entered in the assessment report take into account these areas on a daily / weekly / monthly / term basis.

Skill based teaching is followed by skill based assessment in these areas : listening, understanding, speaking, reading, hand writing, spelling, writing, thinking, reasoning, observation, drawing, concept development. A 5 point rating scale has been formulated to assess these skills. The system of allotting marks has completely disappeared from this form of assessment. Grades are allotted in the books / unit tests / worksheets along with detailed remarks about the child’s performance and progress. Care is taken to avoid negative comments / remarks. The remarks are positive and offer suggestions for further correction / improvement of the child’s performance.

A “Student Personality Profile” is also maintained where the teacher’s observation of the child in the following areas are recorded – emotional development, social development, class room behaviour, personal habits, health and hygiene, special abilities.

Grades that have been awarded based on continuous assessment are recorded in the assessment report for skills in English, Number Work, Environmental Studies, Second Language, Art and Craft, Games and Physical Education, Class room participation, Co-curricular activities. One unique feature of the grading norms is that negative grades are avoided. The minimum grade is ‘B’ which indicates that the child needs improvement and the maximum grade ‘Ex’ indicates that the child’s performance is excellent. This informal system of continuous assessment has been designed in accordance with our integrated approach to education that includes values, communication skills, self discipline, creativity, games, social skills and academics.