Prerequisite Assessments Fulton County Schools Mathematics Professional Development for Middle Schools August 12, 2010 Essential Question: How do we use the FCS Mathematics Curriculum to facilitate student mastery of the standards?

Research suggests the assessment of prior knowledge and skill is a precise predictor of learning, and provides a basis for instruction and guidance. Dochy (1992). Integrating Assessment and Learning in Instruction

Research suggest the assessment of prior knowledge and skill is a precise predictor of learning, and provides a basis for instruction and guidance. Dochy (1992). Integrating Assessment and Learning in Instruction

Student motivation is linked to the answers to these two questions: Can I do this? Is this worth doing? Wigfield, A., Tonk, S., & Eccles, J. (2004). Expectancy-value theory in cross-cultural perspective. In D. McInerney & S. van Etten (Eds.), Research on Sociocultural Influences on Motivation and Learning. Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishers

Student motivation is linked to the answers to these two questions: Can I do this? Is this worth doing? Wigfield, A., Tonk, S., & Eccles, J. (2004). Expectancy-value theory in cross-cultural perspective. In D. McInerney & S. van Etten (Eds.), Research on Sociocultural Influences on Motivation and Learning. Greenwich, CT: Information Age Publishers If students lack the prerequisite skills necessary to learn a new topic, they will not put forth the effort to learn it.

Prerequisite Assessments Prerequisites skills are the essential skills or competencies students need to be successful in the unit. Prerequisite assessments should be administered approximately 1 – 2 weeks prior to the beginning of a new unit to identify which prerequisite skills students lack and provide a plan for remediating these skills.

Prerequisite Assessments Prerequisite skills and assessments are included in the instructional units in SAMS for grades 6 – 8, Integrated Advanced Algebra, Integrated Geometry and Integrated Algebra II.

Remediation Plan Resources SAMS Prerequisite Skills Repository (Work in Progress) Connections teacher ASP Binders (Grades 6 – 8) GAVS (Georgia Virtual School) Online Resources

Prerequisite Progress Monitoring Log Monitoring student progress successfully requires good communication between students, parents, and teachers. Be sure you communicate with both the student and the parent the specific skills students are lacking. Provide a written plan of action with a timeline to both the student and parent. Document student progress on monitoring log. Enlist the help of others

Final Thought… Students cannot learn from work that they will not do. Therefore, making sure they have the prerequisites to do the work is a great first step.