Self-Assessment
A structured practice where students evaluate their own work against agreed criteria — strengthening metacognition, ownership of learning and self-direction.
How self-assessment works
Teachers share clear criteria — a rubric, a checklist, a set of 'I can' statements. Students compare their own work to the criteria, mark where they think they sit, and explain their reasoning. The teacher then compares the student's judgement with her own and discusses any gaps.
Why it builds independent learners
Children who routinely self-assess develop a strong internal voice that monitors quality. They stop relying on the teacher to be the sole judge of their work — a habit that transfers into university and adult life.
Practice at Yajur
Yajur Public School embeds self-assessment from Class 1 onwards. Children rate their own work on simple criteria, write short reflections, and discuss them with teachers. The Oxford International Curriculum's wellbeing strand also includes regular self-reflection on social and emotional growth.
Related terms
Metacognition
Thinking about one's own thinking — being aware of how you learn, monitoring whether you understand, and adjusting your approach. One of the strongest predictors of academic success.
Peer Assessment
Students give each other structured feedback on work, using clear criteria — building communication, critical thinking and the ability to give and receive feedback gracefully.
Rubric Assessment
A grid that lays out what 'beginning', 'developing', 'proficient' and 'excellent' look like for each criterion — turning subjective judgement into transparent, consistent evaluation.