1. Enhanced Learning Through Assessment BELIZE LITERACY PROJECT WHAT TEACHERS CAN UTILIZE FOR IMPROVED ASSESSMENT?

2. Assessment for Learning

3. INTENDED LEARING OUTCOMES  Expand awareness of assessment for learning principles  Explore strategies for implementation  Initiate action plans

4. Purpose  Student achievement  Teacher energy  Best practices  Bad habits  Transforming learning  Research support  Accountability focus  Parent support

5. Current Understandings What do I know about assessment for learning?

6. Black and William Research  Improved learning by: Involve students in assessment process Increase descriptive feedback Decrease evaluation types of feedback (grades) “No need to focus on evaluation if strong planning is in place.”

7. Good teaching starts with the Curriculum  Begin with the general learner outcomes  Move to specific learner outcomes  Focus instruction on student outcomes  Inform and involve students  Guard against going beyond the curriculum  ‘Series’ Smarts  Grade level smarts

8. Exemplars and Models  Collect and post Grade level appropriate Include a range of possibilities Explain to students

9. Evidence of Learning  How can students best demonstrate what they have learned?  Focus on what they know not where they are deficit  Multiple data: Observations Products Conversations

10. Consider…..  Range of possibilities (DI)  Involve students  Share criteria BEFORE students begin assessment activity  Multiple data: Observations, products, conversations

11. 10 Steps to Assessment (Anne Davies, 2003) 1.Explain purpose 2.Show samples 3.Set, use, share criteria 4.Self Assessment 5.Revisiting criteria 6.Feedback for learning – how student improves 7.Setting goals 8.Collecting evidence 9.Communicating using evidence 10.Continuing learning

12. Do More of….  Discussing relevance of learning  Involving student choice (projects)  Students working with each other  Students doing assessment  Clarification of learning outcomes  Observing students learn  Expecting all students to excel  Work portfolios  Rubrics

13. Do less of….  Group testing  Marking  Competitive element  Class averages  Timed activities  Whole class assignments

14. Hotspots ….  Class averages  Cumulative grades  Tests given before exam  Retests  Bell curves  Open book tests  Letter grades, percentages

15. Getting started…  Accessing resources  PLC – teaming  Teacher confidence – they know GLE  Patience  Recognize long term benefits  Evolution not revolution

16. Celebrate the journey