Assessing Young Writers By Idalia Orozco By Idalia Orozco 2 nd Grade Teacher 2 nd Grade Teacher Rizzuto Elementary Rizzuto Elementary LPISD LPISD “Assessment must promote learning, not just measure it. When learners are well served, assessment becomes a learning experience that supports and improves instruction”. “Assessment must promote learning, not just measure it. When learners are well served, assessment becomes a learning experience that supports and improves instruction”. Regie Routman Regie Routman

Three Levels of Assessment Large-Scale, Formal Assessment Large-Scale, Formal Assessment Classroom Assessment Classroom Assessment Personal Assessment Personal Assessment

Large Scale, Formal Assessment Large-scale assessment happens at district or state level usually. Large-scale assessment happens at district or state level usually. In large-scale writing assessment more than one rater reads each paper. In large-scale writing assessment more than one rater reads each paper.

Classroom Assessment Usually looks at multiple assessments. Usually looks at multiple assessments. Daily work, long-term multi-day projects, publishing projects and so on. Daily work, long-term multi-day projects, publishing projects and so on. Can be based on growth over time, participation in the writing process, skill in revising or editing text, and the student “story” told by a portfolio. Can be based on growth over time, participation in the writing process, skill in revising or editing text, and the student “story” told by a portfolio.

Forms of Writing Expressive/Narrative Expressive/Narrative Organization, Beginning, Ending, Development & Mechanics Persuasive Persuasive Audience, Organization, Reasons, Conclusion and Mechanics Informative Informative Focus, Organization, Development, Ending, Mechanics James Kinneavy - Theory of Discourse 1971

Using Rubrics Rubrics make expectations public and visible. Rubrics make expectations public and visible. Rubrics focus on what students can do, and not on what they can’t do. Rubrics focus on what students can do, and not on what they can’t do. To create your own rubric visit web-site To create your own rubric visit web-site

Scoring Holistic Holistic Primary (Rubrics) Primary (Rubrics) Analytical Analytical

How to improve assessment Make the vision clear Make the vision clear Use rubrics Use rubrics Share your vision with parents and children. Share your vision with parents and children. Become very familiar with state performance standards of writing. (TAKS) Become very familiar with state performance standards of writing. (TAKS) Do not assess everything your students write. Do not assess everything your students write. Practice assessing your student’s work. Practice assessing your student’s work. Make self-assessment the goal of your writing program (Personal Assessment). Make self-assessment the goal of your writing program (Personal Assessment). Keep collections of writing (portfolios). Keep collections of writing (portfolios). Keep your expectations high. Keep your expectations high. Provide practice Provide practice

Personal Assessment “Writing is predominantly learned rather than taught”. “Writing is predominantly learned rather than taught”. Janet Emig Janet Emig Students use portfolios, rubrics and are taught to make reading-writing connections. Students use portfolios, rubrics and are taught to make reading-writing connections. Students become skilled assessors. Students become skilled assessors. Personal assessment becomes the most fundamental and trustworthy basis for revision as well as for improvement in writing. Personal assessment becomes the most fundamental and trustworthy basis for revision as well as for improvement in writing.

ESL Have students respond in their native language or in both languages. Have students respond in their native language or in both languages. Have a teacher who is familiar with the second language interpret and score the paper but not in the conversational manner. Have a teacher who is familiar with the second language interpret and score the paper but not in the conversational manner. Instead you would make a general overall judgement of the students’ language proficiency in English.

Bibliography  Creating Young Writers By Vickie Spandel By Vickie Spandel  Reflections on Assessment By Kathleen & James Strickland By Kathleen & James Strickland  Literacy Assessment of Second Language Learners By Sandra Rollins Hurley & Josefina Villamil Tinajero By Sandra Rollins Hurley & Josefina Villamil Tinajero  Traits of Writing By Ruth Culham By Ruth Culham