Curriculum Based Measurements Linking Assessment with Instruction Tricia Crosby-Cooper and Mark Brincks, Carr Intermediate, 2007
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could… Have a standardized index of student performance in our curriculum and connected to IEP goals? Have objective information on student progress which is easily shared and understood by all? Provide measurable, meaningful goals within our District’s curriculum? Reduce jargon and communicate more directly? Document when students are learning and when they are not? Provide timely changes to the student’s instruction? Focus on solutions to problems, rather than causes?
Curriculum Based Measurement (CBM) Has standardized measurement procedures Uses stimulus items closely aligned to the curriculum Improves the match between testing and teaching Links assessment to intervention Establishes student skill level: mastery, instructional and frustration Is easily communicated and understood by all
Characteristics of CBM Accurate, Reliable, Standardized Measures of Basic Skills: > Reading > Math > Spelling > Writing
Characteristics of CBM continued… Test items come from the District’s curriculum Tests are standardized and norm-referenced (using local norms)
Characteristics of CBM continued… Tests are inexpensive to produce and administer. Tests take minimum time from classroom instruction. > Reading >Math (1-3 min) (2 min) > Spelling > Writing (2 min) (4 min)
Characteristics of CBM continued… Tests require students to produce academic responses rather than guess, point or circle answers. Student’s academic fluency (correct responses per minute) in basic skills is determined.
Underlying Concept of Curriculum Based Assessment Testing should reflect what is taught since assessment will ultimately drive instruction. The measure of success in education is the student’s progress in the curriculum of the local school.
Overview of CBM Procedures & Materials Reading: Student reads a grade level (Instructional) passage orally 1 minute test Given individually Score: # of words read correctly (optional: error types)
Overview of CBM Procedures & Materials Spelling: Student writes words given orally from list of high frequency grade level words 2 minute test Given in group or individually Score Options: # correct words, or # correct letter sequences
Overview of CBM Procedures & Materials Written Language: Student writes passage using story starter 3 minute test Given in group or individually Score Options: total words written, words spelled correctly and correct word sequence
Overview of CBM Procedures & Materials Math: Student completes math problems from selected grade-level materials 2 minute test Given in group or individually Score: correct # of digits
Specific Standardized Instructions… Reading: (see handout) Materials: 1. Unnumbered (student) copy of passage 2. Numbered (examiner) copy of passage 3. Stopwatch or timer 4. Tape recorder (optional)
Specific Standardized Instructions… Written Expression:(see handout) Materials: 1. Lined paper with story starter for student 2. Pencil for student 3. Stopwatch or timer
Specific Standardized Instructions… Spelling: Materials: 1. Spelling paper with 18 spaces for student 2. Pencil for student 3. Stopwatch or timer 4. List of spelling words
Specific Standardized Instructions… Math: (see handout) Materials: 1. Unnumbered (student) copy of math problems 2. Numbered (examiner) copy of math problems 3. Stopwatch or timer (May use single skill or multiple skills.)
CBM Use… Student progress in relation to others Instructional program decisions Screening Tool / Student Study Teams Summer School – Extended School Year Progress monitoring as part of the Problem solving model
CBM Use continued… Special Education Goals on IEPs (see samples on pg. 3 in handout) Identify “At Risk” Students Class Profile – School Profile Program Evaluation Measuring Response to Intervention
CBM Use in RTI… Measure general effectiveness of a given intervention For individual students: - Progress monitoring - Performance compared to peers - Performance compared to a set standard - Single student’s response to intervention
Examples of CBM Graphs…
Examples of CBM Graphs Continued…
Examples of CBM Graphs Continued…
Resources… www.interventioncentral.org – warehouse of CBMs www.aimsweb.com – charting progress on line http://dibels.uorgon.edu - U of Oregon – Dibels http://www.cbmnow.com - get pocket CBM