Assessment for Learning A Key to Motivation and Achievement November 17, 2006

1. Assessment for Learning A Key to Motivation and Achievement November 17, 2006 The purpose of Teaching is not to cover the expectations but rather to “uncover understanding”. Rick Stiggins Assessment to Improve Student Learning

2. This is our Context … Assessment to Improve Student Learning

3. Vision of the Catholic Graduate “When our students graduate from a Catholic school system we do not ask merely what they have learned, but more importantly, what they have become.” Sr. Claire Fitzgerald Assessment to Improve Student Learning

4. The Christian vision regarding the value of the human person and his/her journey is passed on through community. Therefore, it is imperative that everyone in the Catholic community shares the responsibility to educate our young people. Assessment to Improve Student Learning

5. Three Principles of Catholic Social Teaching: • All people have dignity • The primacy of the human person • A preferential option for the poor Assessment to Improve Student Learning

6. Principles for Catholic Teachers • Every child has a right to know he/she is loved and accepted. • The most important concern is always the child. • Emphasis should always be placed on the needs of the “poor” in our classrooms. Assessment to Improve Student Learning

7. “The role of schools has changed. Previously schools sorted students from the highest to the lowest achievers – that is, some succeeded at learning while others tumbled into chronic failure. But schools have evolved into places where all students are expected to meet increasingly rigorous academic standards.” Rick Stiggins Assessment to Improve Student Learning

8. Our students have two very basic needs: The need to feel that they belong… Assessment to Improve Student Learning

9. …and the need to feel competent. Assessment to Improve Student Learning

10. Planning with the End in mind What is it that my students must know, understand and be able to do? How will I know that they know, understand and are able to do? Assessment to Improve Student Learning

11. “If students know what they are to learn, you increase the chances that they will learn.” Harry Wong Assessment to Improve Student Learning

12. Planning Pyramid Some students will learn these concepts or skills Most students will learn these concepts or skills All students will learn these concepts or skills Assessment to Improve Student Learning

13. “The primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve learning.” “Program Planning and Assessment, 2000” p. 13 Assessment to Improve Student Learning

14. What is ASSESSMENT? Assessment is the process of gathering information from a variety of sources (including assignments, demonstrations, projects, performances, teacher observation and tests) that accurately reflect how well a student is achieving the curriculum expectations in a course or subject. As part of assessment, teachers provide students with descriptive feedback that guides their efforts towards improvement. Assessment to Improve Student Learning

15. Big Ideas of Classroom Assessment #1. Assessment serves different purposes atdifferent times: • it may be used to find outwhat students already know and can do; • it may be used to help students improve their learning; Assessment to Improve Student Learning

16. Assessment for learning Assessment to Improve Student Learning

17. it may be used to let students and parents know how much they have learned within a prescribed period of time Assessment of learning Assessment to Improve Student Learning

18. AssessmentforLearning: am I already doing it? R = Rarely S = Sometimes C = Consistently Assessment to Improve Student Learning

19. Big Ideas of Classroom Assessment #7. Performancestandards are an essential component of effective assessment. Assessment to Improve Student Learning

20. AssessmentforLearning: am I already doing it? R = Rarely S = Sometimes C = Consistently Assessment to Improve Student Learning

21. Tips for Improved Questioning • Find alternatives to asking questions of the whole class • Try not to always be the quarterback • Conduct frequent checks for understanding • Talk to students while they are working • Regular one on one conferences Assessment to Improve Student Learning

22. AssessmentforLearning: am I already doing it? R = Rarely S = Sometimes C = Consistently Assessment to Improve Student Learning

23. Big Ideas of Classroom Assessment #2. Assessment must be planned and purposeful. Assessment to Improve Student Learning

24. “…assessment which is explicitly designed to promote learning is the single most powerful tool we have for both raising standards and empowering lifelong learners.”Paul Black & Dylan William Assessment to Improve Student Learning

25. Research on Effective Assessment • The provision of effective feedback to students • The active involvement of students in their own learning • Adjusting teaching to take account of the results of assessment • Recognition of the profound influence assessment has on motivation and self-esteem • The need for students to be able to assess themselves and understand how to improve • Paul Black & Dylan William Assessment to Improve Student Learning

26. Assessment for learning Diagnostic Self and peer Formative Assessment to Improve Student Learning

27. Diagnostic assessment Marks the starting point of the assessment journey • Prior knowledge and skills • Attitudes • Personal experience Assessment to Improve Student Learning

28. Big Ideas of Classroom Assessment #6. Assessment is a collaborative process that is most effective when it involves self, peer, and teacher assessment. Assessment to Improve Student Learning

29. Self and Peer Assessment Self-assessment by pupils, far from being a luxury is, in fact, an essential component of formative assessment. Black & William 1998 Assessment to Improve Student Learning

30. Self Assessment is a Learned Process Students need to: • Know and understand how their teachers define quality • Know the expectations with regard to quality • Be trained in the use of assessment tools • Be coached in the processes • Be constantly reminded that the purpose for completing work is to improve learning… Assessment to Improve Student Learning

31. Peer Assessment is a Learned Process • Another opportunity for feedback • Not group work • Not evaluation Assessment to Improve Student Learning

32. Formative Assessment • This is the feedback piece • This is where the learning happens • In the teach, reflect/process, practice, feedback LOOP, this is “Form”-ative Assessment to Improve Student Learning

33. “Classroom assessment for student learning turns the classroom assessment process and its results into an instructional intervention designed to increase, not merely monitor, student learning, confidence and motivation.” Rick Stiggins Assessment to Improve Student Learning

34. “…if assessments are to support improvements in student learning, their results must inform students how to do better the next time. Rick Stiggins Assessment to Improve Student Learning

35. Big Ideas of Classroom Assessment #5. For assessment to be helpful to students, it must inform them in words, not numerical scores or letter grades, what they have done well, what they have done poorly, and what they need to do next in order to improve. Assessment to Improve Student Learning

36. “When the classroom culture focuses on rewards, gold stars, grades, or class ranking, then (students) look for ways to obtain the best marks rather than to improve their learning. One reported consequence is that, when they have any choice, (students) avoid difficult tasks. They also spend time and energy looking for clues to the ‘right answer’.” Paul Black & Dylan William Assessment to Improve Student Learning

37. “If we assess to motivate students to try, assessment for learning enables students by helping them watch themselves grow…” Rick Stiggins Assessment to Improve Student Learning

38. “The important lesson is that the student’s emotional reactions to assessment results will determine what the student thinks, feels, and is motivated to do in response to those results.” Rick Stiggins Assessment to Improve Student Learning

39. Assessment Requires a Team Effort… Assessment is not something that we do to kids – assessment is a collaborative and ongoing process that involves students, their teachers, and parents. Hold students accountable for their part in the process. Assessment to Improve Student Learning

40. “To increase student learning and achievement, increase the amount of time the student is working.” Harry Wong Assessment to Improve Student Learning

41. Big Ideas of Classroom Assessment #3. Assessment must bebalanced, including oral, performance, and written tasks, and be flexible inorder to improve learning for all students. Assessment to Improve Student Learning

42. Big Ideas of Classroom Assessment #4. Assessment and instruction are inseparable because effective assessment informs learning. Assessment to Improve Student Learning

43. “Learning has nothing to do with what ateacher covers. Learning has to do with what thestudents accomplish.” Harry Wong Assessment to Improve Student Learning

44. What’s next? • Today…… • Feb 2…… • Feb 23…… • Subject Council meetings • School-based meetings • Next year and beyond…….. Assessment to Improve Student Learning