Differentiation of Assessments
What is differentiated? NOMAYBE SOMETIMES YES Standards Objectives Established GoalsIntermediary Goals (see scaffolding) Criteria and Rubrics Summative Assessment Evidence (Products/Performances) Formative Assessment Evidence (Products/Performances) “Level of Thinking” Teaching Strategies Learning Activities (Choices) Learning Environment (Time/Place/Groupings) Resources
We NEVER lower expectations modify established (final) objectives or change the ‘thinking’ or ‘doing’ assessed
We DO modify or differentiate how we MEASURE if an expectation is met And we DO help students meet established objectives through scaffolding for ALL students and differentiation for some students
An example: Established objective- I will write a 3 paragraph descriptive essay using correct standardized English grammar and syntax
Summative assessment (ALL students) Students write a three paragraph essay using five or more descriptive words. Students may type, handwrite, or dictate their paragraphs. Students who dictate their paragraph must also correctly dictate grammar and syntax symbols.
Formative assessments (ALL students) Usually also Learning Activities Students share ideas with a partner Students write or dictate a topic sentence Students write or dictate at least five descriptive words appropriate to their topic Students write or dictate a paragraph Students add an additional paragraph Students share their paragraphs with a partner Students self assess for grammar and syntax Students peer assess for grammar and syntax Students prepare final work for presentation
Differentiating Formative assessments (Some students) Students first draw their ideas then share with a partner Students dictate a topic sentence into a recorder then share with a partner Students draw then dictate at least five descriptive words appropriate to their topic Students write or dictate a sentence Students add an additional sentence etc. Students share their paragraphs with a partner Students self assess for grammar and syntax with support Students peer assess for grammar and syntax Students prepare final work for presentation