Assessment Amy Walker ECED7259

Assessment There are three main subtopics to think about when dealing with assessment… There are three main subtopics to think about when dealing with assessment… Focusing Assessment Focusing Assessment Measuring Depth of Understanding Measuring Depth of Understanding Classroom Assessment versus Large Scale Assessment Classroom Assessment versus Large Scale Assessment

Focusing Assessment A more focused curriculum should be implemented at each grade level and should attempt to monitor student progression, rather than the number of questions answered correctly or incorrectly. A more focused curriculum should be implemented at each grade level and should attempt to monitor student progression, rather than the number of questions answered correctly or incorrectly.

Focusing Assessment continued… Monitoring students will help to measure the level of understanding and fluency in the subject. Monitoring students will help to measure the level of understanding and fluency in the subject. A student not only needs to know how to solve a problem, they must know why they are solving a problem using a particular operation. A student not only needs to know how to solve a problem, they must know why they are solving a problem using a particular operation.

Measuring Depth of Understanding Open-ended questions must be given in order for students to reveal their thought processes. Open-ended questions must be given in order for students to reveal their thought processes. These types of questions require students to explain their thinking, show their work, and/or provide more information than just an answer. These types of questions require students to explain their thinking, show their work, and/or provide more information than just an answer.

Measuring Depth of Understanding continued… Problems that only have one correct answer can be made more open- minded by simply asking “why”. Problems that only have one correct answer can be made more open- minded by simply asking “why”. This leads way to students justifying and explaining their answers. This leads way to students justifying and explaining their answers. Asking why will sometimes reveal which students have misconceptions and/or lack of understanding about a specific area. Asking why will sometimes reveal which students have misconceptions and/or lack of understanding about a specific area.

Measuring Depth of Understanding continued… Further questioning is also important in determining the level of understanding. Further questioning is also important in determining the level of understanding. Students could possibly struggle with this, so teachers modeling complete explanations will show students that they must give more complete explanations of their reasoning as well. Students could possibly struggle with this, so teachers modeling complete explanations will show students that they must give more complete explanations of their reasoning as well.

Classroom Assessment vs. Large Scale Assessment In order for student knowledge to deepen over time, daily classroom assessment is crucial to a focused curriculum. In order for student knowledge to deepen over time, daily classroom assessment is crucial to a focused curriculum. A variety of sources can be used to gather assessment information: observations, responses to questions, class discussions, class work, homework, performance tasks, journals, portfolios, quizzes, and tests. A variety of sources can be used to gather assessment information: observations, responses to questions, class discussions, class work, homework, performance tasks, journals, portfolios, quizzes, and tests.

Classroom Assessment vs. Large- Scale Assessment continued… When considering these assessment options and when planning instruction, teachers must keep in mind that their main goal is to advance student understanding. When considering these assessment options and when planning instruction, teachers must keep in mind that their main goal is to advance student understanding.

Classroom Assessment vs. Large- Scale Assessment continued… State tests (CRCT) can provide data that compares student learning as a whole. However, these tests do not always portray students’ depth of understanding. State tests (CRCT) can provide data that compares student learning as a whole. However, these tests do not always portray students’ depth of understanding. These tests are used to measure specific skills and a broad range of topics. These tests are used to measure specific skills and a broad range of topics. They are scored on the number of correct answers and do not consider the steps taken to solve the problem nor the depth of understanding. They are scored on the number of correct answers and do not consider the steps taken to solve the problem nor the depth of understanding.

Classroom Assessment vs. Large- Scale Assessment continued… With all of these facts in mind, teachers are not able to spend ample time in developing a depth of understanding. With all of these facts in mind, teachers are not able to spend ample time in developing a depth of understanding. They have to balance state requirements with instruction in order to meet standards and also try to develop a greater depth of understanding. They have to balance state requirements with instruction in order to meet standards and also try to develop a greater depth of understanding.

Questions to Consider In what ways could your instruction become more focused? In what ways could your instruction become more focused? What changes can you make in order to monitor the level of understanding of your students? What changes can you make in order to monitor the level of understanding of your students? What goals do you have for bringing focus to your classroom instruction? What goals do you have for bringing focus to your classroom instruction?

Reference Mirra, A (2008. Focus in Grades 3-5: Teaching with Curriculum Focal Points. Reston, VA: NCTM. Mirra, A (2008. Focus in Grades 3-5: Teaching with Curriculum Focal Points. Reston, VA: NCTM.