Pupil Assessment
Assessment is part of the learning process and aims to support learning.
According to the curriculum, assessment is equal, open and interactive. Pupils' learning, competence and work are assessed in a diverse manner in relation to the goals set in the curriculum.
Diverse assessment means that assessment is based on various evidence, such as written exams, oral demonstrations, working skills, project work, presentations and essays. A pupil's behavior is evaluated separately in relation to locally determined behavioral criteria.
At the beginning of the school year, teachers inform pupils and their guardians about subject-specific objectives and assessment principles. In addition, teachers provide pupils with guiding and encouraging feedback throughout the whole school year in order for the pupils to learn to identify their own strengths and areas for development.
During the school year, the pupil and their guardian also receive feedback on the pupil's progress, work and behavior.
Performance assessment discussion at the beginning of the school year
In Oulu, the teacher organizes a development assessment discussion with their pupil at the beginning of each school year. The discussion includes discussing the pupil's strengths, working skills and current topics related to studies and the pupil's phase of life. In collaboration with the teacher, the pupil can also set goals for their studies.
A guardian can participate in the development discussion if they wish. In grades 1 and 7, the guardian can choose to have the Lapset puheeksi discussion instead of the development evaluation discussion.
Forms of assessment
Mid-term assessment
In Oulu, the mid-term assessment is organized in grades 1–4 as an assessment discussion. Discussions are usually held in December-January. Both the pupil and their guardian are involved in the discussion.
In the assessment discussion, the class teacher reviews the pupil's assessment in different subjects and it is possible to return to review the goals set in earlier development discussions.
In grades 5-9, pupils receive an mid-term certificate where all subjects have been assessed in numbers. In the mid-term certificate in grade 5, in addition to numbers, the pupil receives verbal feedback on the following subjects: mother tongue and literature, mathematics and A1 language.
Annual assessment
At the end of the school year, pupils receive their annual reports. In Oulu, pupils in grades 1-3 receive verbal annual reports.
In accordance with the national policy, pupils receive a numerical assessment of all subjects for the first time in the 4th grade annual report, meaning the spring of the 4th grade. In the 4th grade report, in addition to numbers, pupils receive verbal feedback on the following subjects: mother tongue and literature, mathematics and A1 language.
Pupils' assessment is based on the subjects' syllabi objectives in the curriculum.
In grade 6, the assessment is conducted accordingly to the national criteria for grade 6. Read more about the criteria for grade 6 annual assessment on the website of the Finnish National Agency for Education (in Finnish).
Final assessment
At the end of comprehensive school education, a final certificate is issued to a pupil who has achieved the objectives of the entire basic education syllabus with a minimum requirement of competence corresponding grade marking 5. The final assessment assess the entire competence demonstrated during grades 7–9.
The assessment is based on the objectives of the syllabi of the subjects, and it is conducted in accordance with the national final assessment criteria.
It is worth noting that teaching of some subjects ends in grades 7 or 8. The final assessment of these subjects is done already in those grades.
In the final assessment, the subjects are assessed in numbers. An exception to this is the A2 language, which can, at the request of the pupil and their guardian, be assessed with a pass marking.
If the pupil studies according to an individualized curriculum, they are assessed in relation to the goals set in their individual learning plan. Individualization may concern one or more subjects. Individualized subjects can be assessed either numerically or verbally with a pass mark.
Final assessment criteria by subject in Oulu
History Final Assesment Criteria (pdf) (in Finnish)
Social Studies Final Assessment Criteria (pdf) (in Finnish)
Mathematics Final Assessment Criteria (pdf) (in Finnish)
Physics Final Assessment Criteria (pdf) (in Finnish)
Chemistry Final Assessment Criteria (pdf) (in Finnish)
Biology Final Assessment Criteria (pdf) (in Finnish)
Geography Final Assessment Criteria (pdf) (in Finnish)
Home Economics Final Assessment Criteria (pdf) (in Finnish)
Health Education Final Assessment Criteria (pdf) (in Finnish)
Handicrafts Final Assessment Criteria (pdf) (in Finnish)
Physical Education Final Assessment Criteria (pdf) (in Finnish)
Music Final Assessment Criteria (pdf) (in Finnish)
Finnish Language and Literature Final Assessment Criteria (pdf) (in Finnish)
Swedish Final Assessment Criteria (pdf) (in Finnish)
English Final Assessment Criteria (pdf) (in Finnish)