Assessment+Issues

=Assessment Issues= These are some questions that arose during a guest speaker presentation. What are your thoughts? Please add your ideas and sign your posts.

· How do you change the end assessment when that is what you use to change the process? If you don’t agree with the original assessment, how do you use that to change other things?
=== · What does it mean to hold students to different expectations? Is it fair to let some students just slide by while we ask other students to complete each and every assignment, yet everyone graduates with the same recognition?=== > > How are you expected to keep track of students’ lives? > > Do real world expectations = classroom expectations?
 * This is something that is very difficult to do, even for experienced teachers. So imagine it for us, not so experienced and seasoned. Through conversations with other teachers, my mentor and other support staff, there is no hard and fast rule. That being said however, it is an expectation of how much is the student giving? Are they working dilengtly to earn a C+? Or are they just coasting with a B? In terms of how to differenciate instruction, personally, I find it much easier to differenciate for a lower level student than it is for a much more advanced student. What I tell my kids everyday is that they have to study, they have to do their homework, and they have to come to class prepared to work. And I throw in there on occassion that it doesn't matter what others are doing, just as long as they have themselves together. From the experience I have had in my internship year, I have learned that my hard working C+ students often fair better in the end, because they have the study skills and work habits that they leave with when they graduate, even though they may not have the GPA. However, those that coast or get senioritis after spring break often do not have the study skills or the work habits to sustain them throughout their higher educations. So, even though they may leave with a higher GPA, sometimes in the end, it seems our C+ students take away a lot more than just their grades. user:cartierm
 * You'll soon find that this is nearly impossible with the number of students you see as a secondary ed teacher. Even if you try very hard, it's EASY to forget who was absent and what they need. Again, be clear, tell the kids (this is what I did, because even in my best attempts to remember who needed what, I would regularly forget!) your procedure for getting missed/absent/late work taken care of. I encourage a board, and a folder for each class with extra copies of handouts for that hour. And let the kids know, (especially in upper levels where a lot of kids are college bound, but I encourage this responsibility piece in all levels of high school) that professors don't check up on you, and they need to be responsible for talking to the teacher if they have missing work. user:cartierm
 * You are expected to know what a student is going through, if it is affecting their progress in your class. "Progress" may include academics AND social skills. When you talk to a student, try to figure out what's really going on with them. Also, if you notice anything out of the norm, check with your assistant principal or other authority figures, they may have the scoop. And, take notes. Always document. This will help explain different patterns related each student. user:emilylewis
 * NO WAY. And you will find it very difficult to deal with your students if you hold them to this right off the bat.Be clear and verbalize your expectations from the start-and stick to them. For example, if you have a project due and you want it no later than the due date, VERBALIZE it. Tell them that unless they have an EXCUSED absence, it will not be accepted. And stick to it. But no, school is not the "real world." Students are absent, miss tests, turn in late work, and sleep in class. While teachers have ways of dealing with these occurances, the students have extra time to turn in homework (unless you have a no late work policy) and can make up tests at a later date. Now generally speaking in the "real world" people do have a chance to miss work when they are sick, but it is used at a much higher discretion (usually) when there is pay involved. user:cartierm
 * School is a place where students are developing the skills to succeed in the "real world". By holding them responsible to arriving on time, wearing an ID, being considerate, turning work in completed and on time, etc. you are helping students become better, more prepared citizens of the greater world. user:emilylewis

Have students work inside your system, then you can make an exception Focus more on classroom activities and environment so students will want to do well === · How can we really separate academic behaviors from content knowledge when we can only write one grade on the report card and when both of these things are very important? (For instance, a student’s ability to read/write/speak/understand the subject earns an A, but he/she doesn’t turn in homework on time and earns a C in reliability.)===

Might have to tend to student’s individual home lives for those who might not be able to finish assignments. Will we be able to do this? Make changes within the classroom (having time for homework, make it so meaningful won’t need as much HW) Could depend on students mindsets/IEPs Students might be shy and do vice versa Students might not be good at doing HW compared to classroom participation

"We have a student who uses their cell phone all the time, especially during quizzes. We are questioning whether that student is 'cheating' or not during these quizzes, but haven't been able to actually 'catch' them. We are especially questioning whether or not these quizzes are valid or not. How do we use approach this situation? Even my mentor teacher hasn't an idea how to deal with it."

There is probably a school policy about cell phone usage within the classroom. Most schools do not let students even have cell phones out during class. Check if a school wide policy exists and deal with it that way. If there is no policy, maybe on test days you need to create a rule that if cell phones are out, the student receives a zero on the test/quiz. user:emilylewis