John Ryall

John Ryall

Manager, Assessment & Reporting
Curriculum & Assessment Policy Branch
Learning & Curriculum Division
Ministry of Education
Ontario

A former teacher, Principal, curriculum coordinator for the Toronto Catholic SB. Co-author of two textbooks: Canadian Civics, 2005, Emond Montgomery (Ontario) and Canada In The Contemporary World, 2007, EM (Manitoba) and led the development of the board’s 2005 assessment & evaluation policy Assessment for Learning for grades 9 to 12. Since 2006, manager in the Ministry of Education, Ontario, responsible for assessment, evaluation and reporting policy. Led development of the 2010 AER Provincial Policy document Growing Success, Grades 1 to 12. Currently involved in the finalization of AER policy for Kindergarten.

  Assessment is an important part of my work because….

My unit focuses both on the development of a clear, consistent policy related to classroom assessment and on building the capacity of teachers to effectively implement assessment as, for and of learning.

  The current assessment focus of my work is:

As manager of the Assessment & Reporting unit, in 2010 we produced a comprehensive assessment, evaluation and reporting document, Growing Success, to provide a clear, consistent and authoritative set of policies related to AER for Grades 1 to 12. Subsequently, through on-site training, a variety of projects and resource production we work to build capacity of teachers to effectively implement those policies and practices. We are completing AER policy now to align with the new program for full day Kindergarten. We also need to review our current grade 1 to 12 policies to better align with new research and new directions in 21st Century teaching.

  You can find out more about assessment in my jurisdiction here: