1. Urbana Middle School Inservice September 28, 2012

3.  Assessment is an ongoing process, not a series of separate and singular acts.  Formative assessment and effective feedback are critical components for improving student learning and ownership.  High-quality assessment verifies and communicates growth over time.  Effective feedback is timely, descriptive and two-way.  We deliberately design instruction so that students reach mastery levels.  Because every assessment is flawed in some way we must control for bias, sampling and provide for multiple opportunities.

4.  Summative Assessments  Formative Assessments  Learning Targets  Assessment Methods  Target-Method Match  Characteristics of Exemplars  Characteristics of Effective Feedback  Common Core Standards Close Reading of Text Evidence-Based Argument Standards of Mathematical Practices

5.  Allow students multiple opportunities to demonstrate mastery and growth over time.  Unpack standards into learning targets.  Use clear learning targets to determine the assessment method and translate learning targets into student-friendly language.  Reach consensus about what mastery looks like.  Give effective feedback in a timely and descriptive manner.  Monitor student progress towards the mastery of learning targets.  Use the results of an assessment to adjust instruction.  Use feedback from students to adjust instruction.

6.  We will increase our knowledge of Evidence-Based Argument.  Each department will write one overarching EBA target selected from the Common Core Standards.

8.  With your table group: Discuss your highlights. Create a poster that:  depicts EBA.  includes connections between EBA and your department curriculum.

9. Share the connections between EBA and your department curriculum.

10.  As an entire department, choose one EBA Standard from the Curriculum Guide.  As a course group, write an Understanding that would guide students’ thinking over time for this Standard.

11.  Examples of Understandings Scientific claims must be verified by independent investigations. Democratic governments must balance the rights of the individuals with the common good. Artistic expression is influenced by time, place and culture. Studying other languages and cultures offer insights into our own. The most efficient and effective stroke mechanics in swimming involve pushing the maximum amount of water directly backward.

12.  As an entire department, choose one EBA Standard from the Curriculum Guide.  As a course group, write an Understanding that would guide students’ thinking over time for this Standard.  Write your Standard and Understanding on the poster. Title your poster with your department’s name.  Be ready to share out to entire staff.

13.  Music: Technology Room 1510  Exploratories: Art Room 1530  PE: Health Room 1550  Math: Christina’s Room 1406  ELA: Multi-Purpose Room 1520  Science: Theresa’s Room 1403  Social Studies: Darla’s Room 1402  Cross Cat: Holly’s Room 1407  ACES/TEACH/ASSIST: Karen H’s Room 1840  Counselors/Deans/SW: Join ELA in 1520  Special Education teachers may join a department of choice.

14.  As an entire department, choose one EBA Standard from the Curriculum Guide.  As a course group, write an Understanding that would guide students’ thinking over time for this Standard.  Write your Standard and Understanding on the poster. Title your poster with your department’s name.  Be ready to share out to entire staff.

15.  Share your department’s selected Standard and Understandings.  Explain your rationale: Why did your department select this standard?

16.  Wednesday, October 3 in 1520 : Unpacking your standard into student-friendly Know & Do learning targets.  Rest of the Year during Department Wednesdays : Tracking student progress by…  Creating a Common Summative Assessment related to this EBA Standard.  Creating a Common Pre-Assessment related to your EBA Standard.  Giving and sharing Formative Assessments to track progress on this EBA Standard.

17. Bulletin Board: Where is your current understanding of EBA on the continuum?