ASSESSMENT& EVALUATION Assessment is an integral part of teaching. Observation is your key assessment tool in the primary and junior grades.

Thinking then…Thinking Now The changes that are occuring in classroom assessment represent major shifts in thinking about learning, and about teaching. The changes that are occuring in classroom assessment represent major shifts in thinking about learning, and about teaching. Assessment & evaluation are central to educational reform initiatives all over the world. Assessment & evaluation are central to educational reform initiatives all over the world. In the past more emphasis was placed on evaluation – the end result rather than on assessment - the journey in getting to the end result In the past more emphasis was placed on evaluation – the end result rather than on assessment - the journey in getting to the end result

Shifting to Expectations Based Planning In the past, educators focused almost solely on content In the past, educators focused almost solely on content Traditional planning began with teachers focusing on “what to teach” Traditional planning began with teachers focusing on “what to teach” Now the starting point begins with the knowledge & skills student are expected to learn as set out in the Curriculum guidelines Now the starting point begins with the knowledge & skills student are expected to learn as set out in the Curriculum guidelines This reflects a change in both the emphasis & order of planning tasks This reflects a change in both the emphasis & order of planning tasks

Begin with the end in mind – the expectations Begin with the end in mind – the expectations Determine how to assess the expectations Determine how to assess the expectations Determine content & how to teach Determine content & how to teach

Assessment & Evaluation There is a clear distinction between assessment & evaluation The Teacher assesses The Teacher evaluates a a student’s progress student’s progress usually throughout the term, at the end of a term basing using a variety of the evaluation on the strategies & tools. student’s best, most consistent work. consistent work.

ASSESSMENT VS. EVALUATION Evaluation follows assessment. Evaluation follows assessment. Assessment refers to the data, including observation comments, that you make on an ongoing basis. Assessment refers to the data, including observation comments, that you make on an ongoing basis. Evaluation refers to the value/ mark/ grade you place on that data, using your professional judgment. Evaluation refers to the value/ mark/ grade you place on that data, using your professional judgment.

Continuous assessment allows you to… Determine current strengths, needs and interests Determine current strengths, needs and interests Monitor growth over time Monitor growth over time Determine how a child solves problems Determine how a child solves problems Celebrate learning/ achievements Celebrate learning/ achievements Identify and document achievement of curriculum expectations in order to plan, implement, and revise the program (e.g., modify or extend) Identify and document achievement of curriculum expectations in order to plan, implement, and revise the program (e.g., modify or extend)

Diagnose specific difficulties Diagnose specific difficulties Provide information for parents, support personnel, and other teachers Provide information for parents, support personnel, and other teachers Evaluate curriculum and methodology ( formative evaluation) Evaluate curriculum and methodology ( formative evaluation) Enhance teaching Enhance teaching Assessment drives instruction Assessment drives instruction

Three Categories of Assessment Diagnostic (assessment for learning) Diagnostic (assessment for learning) Formative (assessment for learning) Formative (assessment for learning) Summative (assessment of learning) Summative (assessment of learning)

What is the purpose of Diagnostic Assessment? It gives teachers specific information about when & how to proceed with instruction It gives teachers specific information about when & how to proceed with instruction It establishes a baseline from which to observe growth It establishes a baseline from which to observe growth It is assessment for learning It is assessment for learning

What is the purpose of Formative Assessment? It encourages self-directed learning by giving students specific feedback. It encourages self-directed learning by giving students specific feedback. It assists with programming decisions. It assists with programming decisions. It is assessment for learning It is assessment for learning

What is the purpose of Summative Assessment It provides information which can be used to evaluate student achievement It provides information which can be used to evaluate student achievement It is used to determine an overall grade/level to a student's performance It is used to determine an overall grade/level to a student's performance It provides feedback for reflection to judge the effectiveness of a unit of study It provides feedback for reflection to judge the effectiveness of a unit of study It is assessment of learning. It is assessment of learning.