Student Learning Objectives Assessment Guidance for LEAs Student Learning Objectives Training Series

Agenda Assessment Guidance – Assessment Guidance Options: Pros and Cons – Challenges for Non-Tested Grades and Subjects – Key Questions about Assessment Guidance for LEAs

Objectives By the end of this session, LEA-level decision makers will be able to: 1.Identify the pros and cons of each of the four assessment guidance options. 2.Consider the challenges for non-tested grades and subjects. 3.Consider answers to the key questions for LEAs about assessment.

SLO Assessment Guidance

Potential Assessment Guidance Options: Assessment is Defined by LEA Each SLO objective is directly linked to one or more required assessments. Assumes a high level of pre-work done by LEA. Pros: Comparability Equity Less responsibility for evaluators to approve assessment choice Cons: Challenge to complete Availability of all assessments (and current breadth of use) Pressure to select “perfect” match with risk of mistakes Lack of teacher buy in

Potential Assessment Guidance Options: Defined Assessment Options Teachers have choice within a defined group of assessments by content/grade level. Appropriate choices are defined by LEA. Pros: Still less responsibility for evaluators Avoids the need to find a “perfect match” per SLO Flexibility for teacher Cons: Less comparability Inequity between grades/content areas (some will have many more choices)

Potential Assessment Guidance Options: Assessment Hierarchy Teachers choose from assessments that are prioritized by LEA. Different levels of assessments (in the hierarchy) require different levels of review and documentation from teachers. Pros: Allows for the most flexibility Will allow strong practices to emerge from the field Easiest to design Cons: Least comparability Most training needed for both teachers and evaluators

Potential Assessment Guidance Options: Assessment Criteria LEA defines criteria for assessments used by teachers or schools that are not recognized/validated assessment tools. Criteria is used to develop a checklist that becomes a part of SLO approval. Pros: Builds knowledge about good assessment practices Means that teacher developed assessments can be used Cons: Complex work for evaluators May not be applied with fidelity and results may not be comparable Most training needed for both teachers and evaluators

Challenges for Non-Tested Grades and Subjects

Challenges for Non-Tested Subjects  The biggest challenge presents itself in defining suitable/appropriate assessments for non-tested subject areas such as physical education, world languages, art, music, theater, etc.  Some states are allowing for different assessment criteria, depending on the content area.  Alternative examples for non-tested content areas include performance rubrics, portfolios, more leeway for teacher developed projects, and/or collaboratively planned projects.  Different approaches can raise issues of equity for teachers, so this needs to be thought through carefully.

Key Questions about Assessment Guidance for LEAs

Key Questions about Assessment 1.Will your LEA recommend different assessment criteria for different grade/content areas? 2.Will your teachers be allowed to use assessments for other content areas? 3.Does the timing of when assessments are available or when results are available rule any assessment instruments out/in? 4.Do pre and post assessments have to be the same? 5.Can teachers grade/score their own SLO evidence? If not, who is responsible for grading/scoring? Note: Documentation/evidence requirements can be different depending on who is doing the scoring and depending on what kind of assessments are used.

Learn More About SLOs Please visit OSSE’s SLO technical assistance page for more information about Student Learning Objectives, to see SLO samples and to find the SLO Toolkit with resources intended to aid in implementation.