1. Alternative Assessment Life ain’t a multiple choice test!

2. Why do you teach?

3. What are you preparing your students for?

6. Is your school’s vision to prepare students for multiple choice tests?

7. If you only use multiple choice assessments, then how can you claim that you are preparing your students for life beyond high school?

8. Can you imagine a surgeon who has only been trained using multiple choice assessments?

9. How about a firefighter trying to save your life?

10. Or a nurse who only knows of four choices?

11. Does a lawyer argue with only four possibilities?

12. NO!

13. So, why do you?

14. Stop using the “Right Answer, Vending Machine” approach to assessment!

15. Assessment can’t be just about THE END…

16. …but, it’s also about the JOURNEY.

17. Success comes with experience!

18. Students aren’t robots, so why are your assessments designed for robots?

19. One of our greatest responsibilities as teachers is grading our students. (Guskey, 2004)

20. Grades determine retention, promotion, & graduation. (NCREL)

21. A letter grade implies objectivity, fairness, & equity. (Dunbar-Ickes, 2004)

22. Grades shouldn’t be used to punish kids.

23. Grades should reflect academic progress. (Dunbar-Ickes, 2004)

24. Pencil & Paper tests shouldn’t be the only way a student can express their level of understanding.

25. Our Workshop offers an alternative to multiple choice…

26. …an alternative to student boredom & disengagement…

27. …an alternative to rote memorization…

28. …an alternative to failure…

29. …an alternative to dropping out.

30. Alternative Assessments not only answer, “What do students know?” but, also, “What are students able to do?” (Macciomei & Ruben, 1999)

31. Alternative assessments can improve the accuracy, fairness, & the meaning of grading. (Kalsa & Miyake, 2005)

32. Alternative Assessments are based on authentic tasks that demonstrate the student’s ability to accomplish the learning target.

33. Some examples of Alternative Assessments include:

34. Portfolios

35. Experiments

36. Journals

37. Model Constructions

38. Oral Reports

39. Story Boards

40. Comparison Charts

41. Student-led Conferences

42. Field-Experience

43. Rubrics & Comments for Feedback

44. Learn how to implement these alternative assessments into your curriculum!

45. If you want to create authentic learning…

46. …narrow the achievement gap… (Koelsch, Estrin, & Farr, 1995)

47. …better prepare your students for college & the real world… (Darling-Hammond, 1994)

48. …better prepare your students for real-life problems… (Darling-Hammond, 1994)

49. …then you need to attend our Workshop on Alternative Assessment!

50. Guide your students. Mentor your students. Advise your students. Enlighten your students. Inspire your students. Empower your students.

51. Visit our website to sign- up for the next workshop in your area! This is one choice you’ll be glad you made!

52. This has been a production of K-Vegas Studios. Copyright 2010 Produced by: Julie Nichols Production Managers: Joey Cutts, Tammy Moose, Ashley Piatt Inspired by: Dr. Olson Appalachian State University