1. Perspective… State test scores are important…but not the most important issue. State test scores are important…but not the most important issue. Our district will continue to focus on state assessments, yet more heavily emphasize our district, common assessments as a measure of instructional effectiveness. Our district will continue to focus on state assessments, yet more heavily emphasize our district, common assessments as a measure of instructional effectiveness.

2. District-wide Common Assessments

3. Principals and teachers cannot leave student performance to chance. student performance to chance. They must meticulously ensure that children are being taught and are learning the knowledge, concepts, and skills the knowledge, concepts, and skills articulated in state and district standards. Why Common Assessments?

4. Schools must use multiple measures of learning that go far beyond mandated state tests. Why Common Assessments?

5. Forward-moving urban districts create common benchmark assessments. Why Common Assessments?

6. Validate that teachers are teaching the objectives measured by our district’s standards & benchmarks aligned to the ITBS/ITED.Validate that teachers are teaching the objectives measured by our district’s standards & benchmarks aligned to the ITBS/ITED. Validate that students are learning the objectives measured by our district’s standards & benchmarks aligned to the ITBS/ITED.Validate that students are learning the objectives measured by our district’s standards & benchmarks aligned to the ITBS/ITED.

7. Students in every Sioux City Community school and classroom deserve to be held accountable for the same district-wide learning targets. Why Common Assessments?

8. Regardless of the teacher, students are taught the same instructional objectives. Regardless of the teacher, students are taught the same instructional objectives. Test results accurately measure the student's mastery of instructional objectives for each term. Test results accurately measure the student's mastery of instructional objectives for each term. Test item analysis can be compared among teachers to determine effective instructional strategies and techniques. Test item analysis can be compared among teachers to determine effective instructional strategies and techniques.

9. Common assessments help build more effective district-wide teaching and learning, and a more unified school system. Why Common Assessments?

10. As a Teacher, What’s In It For Me? Ask a table partner what they think common assessments can do for them.

11. 1.Examining our common assessment data can help improve my effectiveness if I change my instructional delivery based on student results. 2.If the student’s preceding teacher(s) delivered instruction effectively and the student validated his/her learning, I receive a better prepared student. 3.Student success increases the likelihood that he/she will take future risks to learn concepts and skills that I am responsible for them learning. As a Teacher, WIFM?

12. Improved student achievement! As a Teacher, WIFM?

13. The Main Components Agreed upon Learning Targets (S & B) aligned to the Iowa Core Curriculum and ITBS / ITED.Agreed upon Learning Targets (S & B) aligned to the Iowa Core Curriculum and ITBS / ITED. Ensured correct interpretation of learning targets by everyoneEnsured correct interpretation of learning targets by everyone K – 12 Curriculum MapsK – 12 Curriculum Maps Common Assessments designed in advance of teachingCommon Assessments designed in advance of teaching Analysis of data to provide feedback and drive instructionAnalysis of data to provide feedback and drive instruction

14. Summer Work Finish 1 st & 2 nd Semester Common Assessments in grades 6 – 12Finish 1 st & 2 nd Semester Common Assessments in grades 6 – 12 Have assessments ready for first day of school in AugustHave assessments ready for first day of school in August Teachers collaboratively review and discuss common assessments, learning targets, examples of student work and effective teaching strategies.Teachers collaboratively review and discuss common assessments, learning targets, examples of student work and effective teaching strategies. P.D. During the Year

15. Thought… It is critical to develop “shared meaning” among groups and individuals for education among groups and individuals for education reform to have any chance of success. Mere rationality, the belief that a certain change makes good sense, is not enough. We must understand the culture in which this second-order change is being proposed and second-order change is being proposed and lead appropriately for it to be successful.

16. Comments or questions? Learning From Each Other