Domain A A5 Creating or selecting evaluation strategies that are appropriate for the students and that are aligned with the goals of the lesson

Parts of this paper Intro Paragraph Explains components and rationale for evaluation Explains how appropriate, systematic and aligned evaluation strategies are created or selected Explains how evaluation results are used for instructional planning Closing paragraph

What is an assessment? The full range of procedures used to gain insight and information about student learning. Quantative assessments: Make use of measurement and evaluation techniques (performance based—multiple choice) Qualitative assessments: includes formal and informal observations of students’ performance on various learning tasks (work habits)

Why is this topic important? Teachers spend so much time preparing and trying to perfect lessons they present in their classrooms. They choose methods, materials, activities and resources that are all aligned with the goals of lessons they try to teach to their students Teachers need to evaluate students to see if learning is occurring

continued Teachers can evaluate themselves and their lessons Evaluation can be accomplished in a variety of ways Ask yourself, “are the learning goals being met?”

Reasons why it’s important to evaluate students Teachers can tell if students have successfully comprehended the information presented to them. You can find out who may need extra help. Find out some areas of most difficulty and SOMETIMES you have to re-teach ONLY that part Find out some areas of most difficulty and SOMETIMES you have to re-teach an entire lesson in a new way

More reasons Provides student feedback Evaluations can be used for instructional planning Teachers can become better teachers Ask yourself, “Did my students reach their highest level of performance?”

Appropriate methods of evaluation Should be appropriate for the age level Goes along with the lesson being taught

What are teachers looking for? Accurate knowledge, skill, and level of achievement Effort Neatness Correctness How well a student did compared with past performance How long the studied topic has been focused upon

Artifact ideas Lesson plans Written tests KWL Charts Observation Oral discussion Journals Rubric Verbal and written stories Portfolio Student work Individual/group projects Study guides Student conferences Checklists Oral presentations FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS

New trends in assessment Teachers are going beyond paper-and- pencil tests and oral questioning Alternative Assessments: Moving toward small group projects, portfolios of work, performance based learning (How well can students use what they know?) Authentic Assessment (alternative assessments): require students to use higher level thinking skills to perform, create or solve a real life problem

Examples of Authentic Assessments Developing a map Producing a video Creating a model Writing and directing a play Creating a recipe Writing a children’s book