Quality Feedback - Is it a Reality in Schools?

Feedback based on assessment is recognised as one of the most powerful ingredients of teaching and learning (Absolum, Flockton, Hattie, Hipkins & Reid, 2009). As Absolum et al. (2009) argue, "Maximising the quality and appropriateness of feedback should be a core aim of all assessment practice" and "if assessment is not going to result in worthwhile feedback, its value should be questioned" (p. 9). Students need to understand the significance of feedback and learn how to utilise it effectively to enhance their learning. This also relies on assessment capable teachers that possess the necessary shills in order to make this a reality.

So, what is the reality in New Zealand schools? Are teachers and school leaders fully aware of the importance of quality feedback? Perhaps more importantly, do they have the skills and the mindset to deliver feedback that will enhance student learning? Clarke, Timperley and Hattie (2003) argue that one of the problems about marking and feedback is that teachers are often embedded in a way of working and that "Teachers often feel that they are marking for senior staff or for parents when the main purpose of the marking feedback would be to give information to children about how well they did against the learning intention" (p. 61). Clarke (2005) also points out that another dilemma is how to match high quality marking with manageability.

Marking feedback is of course not the only kind of feedback, but perhaps one of the most common in a classroom situation, especially at the more senior levels. I have heard teachers say things like "I better get my marking up to date because parent interviews are coming up" or "my team leaders coming into classes tomorrow to check books, so I better get some done tonight". Is quality feedback for students seen as a priority or does it feature further down the priority list? Are schools regularly reviewing how they provide feedback to students and actually reviewing whether it is successful in enhancing student learning?
What are your thoughts on this topic?

Thanks,
Ange