Assessing student learning is a hugely important component of the instructional day. I have always been of the belief that it is essential that we utilize data to drive our instruction. One concept that I think is important to remember when we consider assessment is the variety of forms it can take. There is definitely a time and place for standardized tests, and such methods can provide invaluable data that gives educators insight into both individual student strengths and weaknesses, as well as trends across the class. As a classroom teacher, I was required to have monthly "Mock Tests" where I administered mock tests in all content areas, and analyzed the data using an Excel template in order to drive my instruction. While it was a very important tool that gave me a lot of information, I did see the added stress and constant pressure it put on my students by spending such a huge portion of each month on standardized tests.
I believe equally as important, educators need to explore the wide variety of assessment tools that are available to them that will give them deeper insight into their students' strengths and deficiencies, and will also allow students to be met with greater success by providing alternate means of assessment. For example, arts-infusion techniques are one way to integrate assessment alternatives that engage learners and allow students with a unique set of learning modalities to be successful. At the school I am currently leading, it is even in our mission that we are preparing our students for college through a "rigorous, arts-infused curriculum." While we still definitely need a great deal of growth in this area, it has been a positive experience to see students who might not normally fair as well with a traditional paper and pencil test to be met with success through engaging activities that include areas such as movement, drama, and song (while still covering content area and providing the teacher with meaningful data points).
I would be interesting in continuing to explore alternate ways of assessing students' mastery of standards that go above and beyond standardized tests.
3 comments:
Very well stated Courtney. I think standardized testing is very stressful for students and educators need to find other means to test students. There are means to test students other then a scantron, booklet, and pencil. Let me know what you find out with this art-infusion.
Courtney,
Standardized testing is strenuous; especially once a month! I do think that pencil and paper tests are important but I also think it is important to recognize that it can not be used to show the whole picture. It is also important to demonstrate learning via other means of assessment.
I think it's great that as an administrator you are so comffortable with exploring alternative means of assessment and that you are able to support your faculty on that issue.
Ashley
I like your thoughtful posting. Beside standardized tests, I’ve heard of “assessment methods like arts-infusion techniques, but I didn’t know that in real K-12 contexts, those methods have been used. It’s amazing!
Do you remember “multiple intelligence theory (each student has different intelligences, such as Verbal/Linguistic, Logical/Mathematical, Visual/Spatial, Bodily/Kinesthetic…)” covered in Dr. Orey’s (or Dr. Clinton) 6400E course? According to the theory, “Education can be improved by assessment of students' intelligence profiles and designing activities accordingly.” I agree with this theory, as I think even though a student is weak on linguistic tests, he/she could be really good at representing his/her knowledge with a visual tools. However, it’s hard to implement individualized instructions and assessments in K-12 contexts, because there are limited classrooms, teachers, resources, times…But I think instructional technologies could help designing “personalized instructions and assessments” in the near future…
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