Assessment FOR Learning

Creating a Culture of Confidence

Based on the work of Rick Stiggins

A New Approach:

Back high-stakes tests with classroom assessments that help all students increase their own expectation of success!

A New Idea:

Build assessment systems that honor the information needs and promote productive emotional dynamics of students and adults.

A New Start:

Help all educators understand sound assessment FOR learning practices!

Requirements:

Assess accurately Manage and share results effectively Elicit a productive emotional reaction to

the assessment results from the learner

Comparisons:

Assessment OF Learning

Assessment FOR Learning

Reasons Check status Improve learning

To Inform Others about students

Students about themselves

Focus Standards Enabling targets

Comparisons: Assessment OF Learning

Assessment FOR Learning

Example External accountability tests and classroom assessments for grading

Assessments that diagnose needs or help students see themselves getting better

Place in Time An event after learning

A process during learning

Crucial Distinction:

Assessment OF Learning:How much have our students learned in the past?

Assessment FOR Learning:How can we help our students learn more in the future?

The mission of school changes

From: Leave lots behind To: Leave No Child Behind

Accountability: All students meet the standards

New Challenge in Assessment Dynamics:

How can we keep winners winning?

How do we get losers back to winning streaks?Regular success at learning Infrequent failure to learn

Teacher’s Role in Assessment FOR Learning: Master each standard Deconstruct each into enabling targets Transform into student-friendly version Transform to accurate classroom

assessments Use those in collaboration with students to

track growth—to promote winning streaks

Assessment FOR Learning Applications:

Student-involved classroom assessment Student-involved record keeping Student-involved communication

To improve, students must:

Know what good work looks like Compare their work to that standard Understand how to close gaps

--Royce Sadler, Australia

Building Blocks of Confidence

“Smart isn’t something you are, its something you can become.” ---Salome Thomas-El

Keys to quality classroom assessmentWhat did this teacher do to enhance student motivation and learning?

Emily’s papers

Elliot Eisner:

The writer begins with the vision and ends with the words. The reader begins with the words and ends with the vision.

What makes the difference in student success? Richard Elmore

Study 1

55%

15%

30%

Student School Class

What makes the difference in student success? Richard Elmore

Study 2--Reading

28%

12%60%

Student School Class

What makes the difference in student success? Richard Elmore

Study 2--Math

19%

20%61%

Student School Class

Possible Achievement Targets:

Master content knowledge (KNOW--Retrieve what info?)Know it outrightKnow where to find it

Use knowledge to reason (REASON—Figure out what?)

Possible Achievement Targets:

Demonstrate performance skills (SKILLS—Demonstrate what behavior?)

Create quality product (PRODUCTS—Create, build what?)

Purpose: Assess to meet whose needs? Classroom

Students!!!TeachersParents

Instructional SupportCurriculum SpecialistsPrincipalsCounselors

Purpose: Assess to meet whose needs? Policy

SuperintendentSchool BoardTax PayersLegislators

TTWWADI

We want to prepare our students for their future, not our pasts….for their future, not our comfort zones.

--Ian Jukes