Monday, August 18, 2014

No Excuses Turnaround Schools Book Study - Chapter 6


Classroom Assessments that Guide Instruction and Interventions

High expectations without a means of measurement are hollow.
-Samuel Casey Carter

When testing is done most educators feel as though the assessment is not indicative of what they have actually taught the students.  Therefore, when a district assessment is given and we have an opportunity to look over the test to make suggestions, we need to take advantage. 
In the assessment realm we have summative/formative and they both have a purpose of validating our instruction.  When we look at the end of the year STAAR test, the results mostly come in at a time when we have little to no control over re-teaching the materials left un-mastered.  However, if we properly use the formative assessments we will have a better gauge as to the areas of need when it comes to the end of year examination.  

Creating assessments that are used to help guide instruction and interventions is instrumental to the development of an exceptional system.  At Carpenter we will develop at least 2 questions per subject area that can be used for our unit exams and assist us in building better lesson plan/interventions that will address student needs. 

Articulation Meetings where the data is broken down and action is taken to assist students will be very important to the overall success of our campus.  These meetings will take place following the administration of the test and guide our instruction/interventions directly following the administration.  We will not remain stale on our offering of instruction if it is showing not to work for a student.  Our primary goal is to educate and reach each student no matter what level they are operating on. 
Students should work with the teachers to examine the testing results and build future goals based on their performance.  This will also directly relate to our Goal work that we send home with students versus the traditional home work that we have been accustomed to from the past.  How will you go about informing the students of the value of the actual assessments?  What methods will you use to gain buy-in from the students to ensure our campus wide goal of defying the odds is met?


The next area of using class goals to gain the whole class buy-in was very enlightening.  The examples given will be a great lead in to our 1st Marzano instructional strategy of Similarities and Differences. We can utilize these strategies at the beginning of the year to introduce goal setting/strategies that we will use.  The students should be able to share with any stakeholder their individual goals and talk about the goal work they will use to make it to the goal.  How will we involve parents in the conversation of goal setting and the ultimate results that we want as a campus?

3 comments:

  1. How will you go about informing the students of the value of the actual assessments? I will express to my student the importance of an assessment. I always ask them if they like to hear the same thing over and over. Their general answer is always "NO!". I explain that a way to avoid hearing the same thing over and over, you have to SHOW understanding through assessments. I try to keep it as real as possible with them so there are no surprises. I want them invested in their education and have accountability.
    What methods will you use to gain buy-in from the students to ensure our campus wide goal of defying the odds is met? I will be honest with them and walk them through the process. Again, I want them to be accountable for their own learning and become independent in what they need to be successful. I don't want school to be something they just have to do. I want them to want to be here because they care about their education.
    How will we involve parents in the conversation of goal setting and the ultimate results that we want as a campus? I have to meet with multiple teachers, staff, and parents to communicate the needs of each and every student on a regular basis. I involve parents the best I can to better understand the decisions that are made about their child. This year, I want them involved more by coming to the school to see what we are doing. I want to move the relationship beyond the telephone. :) I will tell my parents and every parent I meet about our brand! I want them to WIN the DAY with us!

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  2. I will talk positively about testing. I will empathize with students when they complain but always try to end our conversation in a positive way.

    I want parents in my library as much as possible. I want them to see the changes we've made to make the library a warm & cozy place to get & read books. I want them to see that we think reading is important & want to support reading at home.

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  3. How will you go about informing the students of the value of the actual assessments? I will explain how important assessments are and show them what I mean. I want them all to know they can easily do well on assessments if they listen, ask questions, work in groups, and participate.
    What methods will you use to gain buy-in from the students to ensure our campus wide goal of defying the odds is met? I want the students to feel good about coming to school. I want them to enjoy our classes and know they can do it. I want the students to know our BRAND. I want them to go home every night excited about the next day. I want them to know each and every student can be whatever they want to be. The students need and will know hard work is a part of that dream.
    How will we involve parents in the conversation of goal setting and the ultimate results that we want as a campus? I want parents to feel a part of the classroom and our school. Starting by coming to meet the teacher. Being involved in their child’s learning, making sure they read each night, write, do math etc. taking charge at home and limiting TV time. Ask questions if they do not understand something to, and know we are partners in their child’s learning.

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