Philosophy of Assessment 1

Philosophy of Assessment Meredith Lindsay December 12, 2012 North Carolina State University: ED 312 Feldman

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My philosophy of assessment has changed drastically over the course of this semester. My initial knowledge of assessment was vague and closely related the idea of assessment strictly to tests. I was quick to learn that assessment is much more than this biased idea. There are several different areas where assessment can seem relevant and necessary in and out of the classroom setting. The cycle of assessment is by far one of the most useful tools that a teacher can use. It is a step-by-step cycle that can help teachers analyze data from assessment, which will allow them to make the necessary decisions for all students within their class. The teacher must first align teaching with state goals and standards. Next, they must deliver the concepts through different assignments and experiences. Day-by-day the teacher will be giving interim assessments, which are simple questions to assess student learning. This data can be helpful to teacher when analyzing where students need more help and which students need more attention with instruction. Once reteaching occurs, a formal assessment is to follow to test student knowledge. This data can be analyzed individually by the teacher and with their PLT. I think this cycle is so important within the classroom because it clearly can help a teacher make the learning process for all students a positive experience, which will lead to a successful outcome. Assessment is crucial before instruction, during instruction, and after. Teachers must grasp knowledge about what students already know. It would seem silly to go over a concept that the majority of the students have already grasped. Assessing students before unit or lesson can help guide instruction. Also, this allows teachers to understand which students may have trouble with the information given in the pre-assessment. It is helpful for teachers to administer informal assessments throughout instruction just to make sure students are not falling behind. This type of assessment during instruction can help the teacher understand whether they need to spend more

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time on a particular concept, or if it all right to move forward. My belief is that assessment after instruction is the most crucial. This form of assessment is very important for teachers because it helps them gain knowledge about how well the students grasped the concept taught. After analyzing data the teacher can see where students struggled or were successful. This data ultimately sets the stage for where instruction goes when moving forward during class time. Does the teacher need to reteach a particular concept? This is a question that can be answered through the data received from post assess. Assessments throughout the school year are inevitable. I think it is important for teachers to gage students knowledge about subjects that are learned throughout the entire year they are in school. Benchmark assessment may be given to see whether or not students are grasping ideas that are learned over a long period of time. The data retrieved from these assessments can help teachers prepare lessons and assignments that will better prepare students for their next assessment. I believe assessment throughout the school year is important because assessment is data driven and it can only lead to more success for all students. I never understood the idea of creating assessments. Through this class I was able to create some of my own assessments. It is important when creating assessments that they are not all formal assessments. Students do not need to feel as if they are being tested all the time. There are many summative assessments that can be administered to students, which can help gain data about students without taking a formal test. When creating assessments it is crucial that the teacher aligns that lesson and assessments. This should also align with the state standards. Students are going to feel more confident while taking an assessment if it directly correlates to what they learned during instruction. Assessments should also follow Blooms Taxonomy and offer many different levels. For example, there should be questions that ask for a students

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understanding of a concept, but also questions that have the student analyze particular information from the concepts learned. It is also easy to incorporate web 2.0 tools in assignments that can assess student learning. This kind of assessment will help the students feel engaged and motivated when portraying information they learned through the lesson. Alternative assessments are important for those students that may have a disability or seem to struggle with instruction. All students do not learn the same and if they have a disability they should not have to suffer within the classroom. The goal of the teacher is to create assessments that can help all students show what they know. This may take a little extra planning, but it is important that the teachers clearly knows their students. This can help make decisions about what kind of assessment should be given and if it should include any modifications. Obviously, students with disabilities will have modifications stated in their IEP. Alternative assessments can also be used in the form of homework. Student learning can be varied and the teacher should always be willing and ready to provide alternative assessments for those students that need accommodating. Teachers must not implement a sense of biased views when assessing students. Teachers must stay focused on the goal of the assessment. Assessments should not be created that may offend a student based on race or personal beliefs. This type of assessment can be offensive to those students that feel ridiculed. Also, students should not be penalized based on their race, gender, socioeconomic status, or religion. It will be my goal to create assessments that do not give an unfair advantage to one group of people over another. Assessment should be created for the purpose of assessing all students as a whole and should not favor a particular race, gender, or religion.

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I will always have to assess diverse learners and those students that have diverse needs. It is important to accommodate all students through instruction and assessment. I have learned that oftentimes students learn in many different ways and as a teacher it is my job to understand that students may be assessed at different levels with different expectations. Teachers must prepare lessons that can help a diverse group of students, while helping them all become successful. Again, instruction and assessment should not be biased towards one particular group of students. My goal as a teacher is implement successful instruction and assessment for the many different learners that will walk through my door. My philosophy about final assessments, such as EOGs and other standardized tests, has not changed from my initial thoughts. I know that is imperative that students be assessed on what they have learned throughout the year, but I do not think that these tests should put so much pressure on students. This one test may not really show what a student knows about different ideas and concepts. Ultimately, not all students learn the same. How can we expect all students to be successful on these tests? I do not like the fact that teachers feel as if they have to teach to the test. This makes instruction a lot less unique and engaging because there is too much information to get through. I know the idea of standardized test will never change, but there has to be another way to accommodate teaching with the expectations of these tests. As you can see my idea of assessment as certainly evolved over the past few months. I have grasped knowledge about how data driven assessment can help me as an instructor better the learning process for my students. Assessment is very necessary within the classroom and can drive instruction. My classroom will integrate the assessment cycle throughout the entire year. My knowledge of assessment can now help me as a new teacher make the learning experience beneficial for all students.