Common Questions
What is PLANS?
Answer:
It is an assessment program for Nova Scotia students. It provides information to improve the quality of educational decision making. It provides information to identify the needs of students so that they can be supported.
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What assessments are included in PLANS?
Answer:
PLANS includes student assessments and examinations (in English and French) as well as national, and international assessments.
| Assessment Type | Description |
| Student Assessment | Elementary Language arts, Mathematics |
| Student Assessment | Junior High Language arts, Mathematics |
| Examinations | Grade 10 English language arts, Mathematics |
| National Assessment | Pan Canadian Assessment Program (PCAP) |
| International Assessment | Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) |
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What students are included in PLANS?
Answer:
| Grade/Age | Assessment Type | Subject |
| Grade 3 | Student Assessment | Literacy (Reading/Writing) Mathematics |
| Grade 6 | Student Assessment | Reading Writing Mathematics |
| Grade 8 | National Assessment (PCAP) | Mathematics Reading Science |
| Grade 8 |
Student Assessment | Reading Writing Mathematics |
| 15-year-old students | International Assessment (PISA) |
Mathematics Reading Science |
| Grade 10 |
Nova Scotia Examination | Mathematics English Mathématiques Français |
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Who develops the assessments?
Answer:
Provincial assessments for elementary and junior high schools and Nova Scotia Examinations for senior high schools are developed by Nova Scotia educators. All assessments and examinations are developed following the Nova Scotia Assessment Development Model.
National and international assessments are developed with Nova Scotia's participation.
Guidelines for the development of all assessments are founded on principles of fair testing practices and professional measurement standards.
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Do PLANS assessments contribute to students' marks?
Answer:
Assessments in elementary and junior high and national and international assessments do not contribute to students' marks. Nova Scotia Examinations will count for a percentage of a student's final course mark.
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Who scores provincial assessments and examinations?
Answer:
Writing tasks for assessments are scored by teachers at scoring sessions under the department's supervision; selected response items (where the student chooses a response from multiple options) will be scored electronically at the department. Nova Scotia Examinations are first scored by the students' teacher and then scored provincially at scoring sessions under the department's supervision.
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How are results distributed?
Answer:
A student report is produced for each assessment and examination. Provincial and region/board results are also published on the PLANS website. Reports on the results of PCAP and PISA are published following each assessment.
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