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Division-wide Common Assessments. What have we learned? Principal and Teacher Input Sessions March and April, 2008. Lesson Number One:. Everyone needs to have the same level of understanding!. Lesson Number Two:.
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Division-wide Common Assessments What have we learned? Principal and Teacher Input Sessions March and April, 2008
Lesson Number One: Everyone needs to have the same level of understanding!
Lesson Number Two: The needs of individual schools should be taken into account in the design and implementation of any new plan.
Lesson Number Three: Make certain that the implementation plan is clear and that it is not too ambitious!
Lesson Number Four: Create lines of communication that allow you to get feedback about implementation and listen, listen, listen. You may find the need to step back and rethink!
Why are division-wide common assessments part of our instructional framework?
Division-wide common assessments are identified as “best practice” in the research on continuous improvement. National Education Association. 2003. Balanced assessment: the key to accountability and improved student learning. National Center for Educational Accountability. 2006. Just for the kids: best practices framework.
The Virginia Department of Education includes division-wide assessments in their school improvement practices indicators. Virginia Department of Education. 2000. A Study of effective practices in virginia’s schools
Our instructional team, including directors, specialists, principals, and teacher leaders identify division-wide assessments as a need. May 7, 2008- Instructional Leadership Team June 20, 2008- Leadership Academy August 24, 2008- Leadership Academy
The Philosophy • Assessments are an integral part of the learning/teaching process. • Assessments have traditionally been measures of what students have learned. • Assessments should be used for making decisions for future learning activities.
Simply put……assessment is not just of learning, but for learning.
Three Types of Assessment • Teacher made assessments • Student projects and products • Standardized assessments
Teacher-made Assessments Like using a road map on the learning journey, teachers use lesson plans and classroom assessments to plan the trip and make adjustments to the learning route.
Student Products Like a travel guide that tells you what you should see at certain points to your destination, student products allow both the student and the teachers to see progress.
Standardized Assessments Like a GPS system used while you are enroute, the standardized assessment is an external source checking your navigation on the learning journey and allowing for course correction.
That is why division-wide assessments were considered.We had a rocky road!Now what? Now it’s your turn!
Talking with your group…… Think about the presentation. Talk in your groups about the over arching philosophy and where you think we should be.
