Standards Based Assessment: An Informative Way To Assess Your Students James R. Olsen, Ph.D. Western Illinois University 41st Annual IMACC Conference Allerton Park in Monticello, IL April 1, 2016

Overview Background (why SBA) Description of my SBA system (it can be tweaked to suit you) – Including the Rubric Advantages Practical Advantages [I got this idea for SBA Quizzes from a former student who now teaches HS math.]

Why change assessment? “driving forces” Chapter tests

Unit/Chapter Tests What do they tell you? 64% - What does it mean? (not much)

Rethinking Assessment What is the purpose?… Learning over covering textbook units. For each objective, we want to know how many students are proficient. For each student, we want to know for which objectives are they proficient. …some ideas from Dan Meyer

SBA System Each objective is assessed twice (on two quizzes). 2-4 objectives per quiz. (1 to 2 items per objective) Each Quiz is 1-2 sides of one sheet of paper. This semester SBA quizzes are on Fridays. One score is recorded for each objective. The most recent score counts (previous scores are deleted). Retakes (outside of class) are allowed. (Example Quizzes)

Rubric Same rubric for each objective. (Recall: One score per objective, even if there was more than one question/item for the objective.)

Retakes (outside of class) are allowed.

Available Online The Rubric, Request to Retest, and other information is available online (see later slide).

Advantages of Standards Based Grading/Assessment  It’s an accurate (and current) actual assessment of students’ ability on an objective (standard).  Students are informed of the learning objectives (in advance).  Students are given multiple chances to demonstrate their competence.  Students get immediate feedback (they can look at the answers after the quiz).

Advantages continued  Makes the teacher be more intentional.  It is good formative assessment – in the learning process (before the Exam).  Students’ performance on Unit Exams improve.  Provides a mechanism for students to improve their understanding – and their grade. “What can I do to improve my grade?”

Practical Advantages  Quizzes are easy to write.  The whole issue with absent students is not an issue.  I make the answer key when I make the photocopies of the quiz.  Grading is efficient and consistent. The same, holistic key is used for every objective.  Scoring from the holistic key translate directly to grades.

Questions & Resources Questions/Comments? Resources are available at (linked from Jim Olsen’s homepage)