assessing for learning presented by suzanne m. bean, ph.d. director, roger f. wicker center for...
TRANSCRIPT
ASSESSING for LEARNING
Presented by Suzanne M. Bean, Ph.D.
Director, Roger F. Wicker Center for Creative Learning
Mississippi University for Women
SESSION OUTCOMES
Review the differences between Assessment for Learning and Assessment of Learning
Examine Diagnostic, Formative and Summative Assessment
Analyze Effective Grading Practices
Plan for Training
As teachers we can’t rewrite the regulations that govern grading, but we can look at them and think how best to work within them on behalf
of student learning. Ann Davies
We Assess To:
Inform Instructional Decisions
Encourage Students to Try to Learn
ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING
Do I routinely share learning goals with my students so that they know where we are headed?
Do I routinely communicate the standards to students?
Do I routinely have students self-and peer assess their work in ways that improve learning?
ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING
Do my questioning techniques include all students and promote increased understanding?
Do I routinely provide individual feedback to students that informs them about how to improve?
Do I routinely provide opportunities for students to make use of this feedback to improve specific pieces of work?
Indicators of Sound Assessment
Practice
Why assess? Assess what? Assess how? Communicate how? Involve students how?
Questions about Assessment
What am I really trying to teach?
What do my students need to know and be able to do?
How can I translate the big curricular goals into teachable components?
What do my students already know about the topic I’m planning to teach?
Power StandardsBig Ideas and QuestionsDiagnostic Assessments
Perform.Assess.Rubrics
Form. Assess.
Summative Assess.Data Driven
Decision Making
Table Talk
Discuss with your neighbors how your weekly learning time is divided.
Division of Learning Time
AssessmentFeedbackPlanningInstruction
3 TYPES OF ASSESSMENT
Diagnostic
Formative
Summative
Assessment Begins with Learning Targets
Learning targets are statements of intended learning.
Learning targets may also be called content standards, benchmarks, competencies, grade level indicators, essential learnings, etc.
Types of Learning Targets
Knowledge
Reasoning
Skills
Products
Dispositions
Importance of Learning Targets
The breadth and depth of the learning target
The importance of each learning target
State standards and local curriculum
Linking Assessment Targets to Assessment
Methods
Knowledge mastery
Reasoning Proficiency
Skills
Ability to Create Products
Selected Response
Extended Written Response
Performance Assessment
Personal Comm.
THE QUALITY OF ASSESSMENT
TOOLS Does the assessment tool match the assessment
purpose? Does the assessment tool match the assessment
strategy? Does the assessment tool provide valid and
reliable information about student performance?
Does the assessment tool provide students with meaningful feedback?
Have I kept the number of assessment tools manageable?
Special Challenges for Assessment
How should you handle these assessment challenges?
“I JUST WANT TO PASS!”
Set clear, relevant, and achievable goals for learning (ZPD).
Assign engaging and authentic tasks.
Provide frequent, meaningful feedback.
Demonstrate through words and actions that you believe that he/she (all students) can be successful.
ADAPTING TASKS FOR STUDENTS WHO NEED IT
Modifying the Task
Substituting the Task
Adapting the Mode
Adapting the Strategy and Tool
Adapting Constraints
Adapting the Scoring
ENSURING ASSIGNMENTS ARE COMPLETED
Communicate directly with students and parents about essential assessment tasks.
Take a firm but fair approach to task completion.
Provide tools such as rubrics, checklists, to clarify expectations.
Provide some in-class time to work on tasks as well time to meet with you for feedback on drafts of their work.
Provide frequent reminders about when work is due.
THE PROBLEM OF LATE OR MISSED WORK
Stress that all essential tasks must be completed.
Clearly convey timelines to students and parents.
Don’t use escalating penalties or zeros.
If a penalty is used it should be fixed.
Use completion contracts, supervised learning centers, or other strategies for completing work.
Record an “incomplete” until time for report card.
7 Perspectives on Grading (Forced Choice)
Grading is essential for learning.
Grading is complicated.
Grading is subjective and emotional
Grading is inescapable.
7 Perspectives on Grading(Forced Choice)
Grading has limited research base.
Grading has an emerging consensus about best practice.
Grading that is faulty damages students and teachers.
Think, Pair, Share…
Look at the next 4 slides
Pair up and discuss with your neighbors which of the following 3 questions are lower level thinking, mid-level thinking, and high level thinking.
Be prepared to share your thoughts with the whole group.
Measuring Levels of Cognitive Demand
Which of the following actions performed by Kenji is the best example of active community service?
A. Serving on the recreation board
B. Joining a community softball league
C. Attending a Labor Day parade
D. Subscribing to a local news magazine
Measuring Levels of Cognitive Demand
A congressional representative of the U.S. usually acquires office by which of the following methods?
A. Appointment by the President.
B. Appointment by the Senate.
C. Election by presidential cabinet.
D. Election by voters.
Measuring Levels of Cognitive Demand
A survey of the citizens of Lawnacre revealed that many of them did not vote because they believed that their candidate would be elected by other voters. If this trend continues in upcoming elections in Lawn acre, what will be the most likely result?
Levels of Cognitive Demand Continued
A. Candidates will run for reelection less frequently.
B. Candidates preferred by a majority of the citizens will continue to be elected into office.
C. Candidates will call for more frequents recounts of votes.
D. Candidates preferred by a majority of the citizens will not always win elections.
10 GRADING GUIDELINES
Report cards should be based on assessment of learning data, not all assessment data.
Report card grades should be based on an appropriate and balanced sample of student work.
Report card grades should capture the trend in a student’s achievement over time.
Report card grades and anecdotal comments should complement each other and provide a consistent picture of each student’s strengths and needs.
10 GRADING GUIDELINES
Determining report card grades should not strictly be a mathematical calculation.
Keep well-maintained records and evidence of work samples to ensure your confidence in standing behind your grades.
Report card grades should be based on the most important learning that has occurred, not on those easiest to score.
10 GRADING GUIDELINES
For students with special needs, report card grades must represent fair judgments about students’ strengths and areas of need.
Report separately on grades and behavior.
Assessment data for report cards must be demonstrated by the individual student and not be distorted by work done in cooperative learning groups.
What is your plan for training your school’s
faculty?
Your Current Reality
Action Plan (What, How, and Who)
Timeline (When)
Reporting
Due to the Center by December 18, 2009
The time has come to de-emphasize traditional grades and
to demystify the entire assessment process. We need to focus on the process of learning
and the progress of the individual student.
Burke
References
Chappuis, S., Stiggins, R.J., Arter, J, & Chappuis J. (2005). Assessment for learning: An action guide for school leaders. Portland, OR: Educational Testing Service.
Cooper, D. (2007). Talk about assessment: Strategies and tools to improve learning. Canada: Thomson Nelson.
References
O’Connor, K. (2009). How to grade for learning K-12, Third Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Stiggins, R., Arter, J., Chappius, J., & Chappius, S., (2006). Classroom assessment for student learning: Doing it right, using it well. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.