1. Standards Based Assessment: An Informative Way To Assess Your Students James R. Olsen, Ph.D. Western Illinois University JR-Olsen@wiu.edu W.I.U. Mini-Conference on Secondary Mathematics Teaching Nov. 19, 2015

2. Why change assessment? “driving forces” Chapter tests

3. Unit/Chapter Tests What do they tell you? 64% - What does it mean?

4. Rethinking Assessment What is the purpose?… Learning over covering textbook units …some ideas from Dan Meyer

7. SBA System Two assessments (two quizzes) are given on each objective. 2-4 objectives per quiz. Each Quiz 1-2 sides of one sheet of paper One score is recorded for each objective. The most recent score counts (previous scores are deleted). Retakes are allowed. (Example Quizzes)

8. Advantages of Standards Based Grading/Assessment  It’s an accurate (and current) actual assessment of students’ ability on an objective (standard).  Students are informed of the learning objectives (in advance).  Students are given multiple chances to demonstrate their competence.  Students get immediate feedback (they can look at the answers after the quiz).

9. Advantages continued  Makes the teacher be more intentional.  It is good formative assessment – in the learning process (before the Exam).  Students’ performance on Unit Exams improve.  Provides a mechanism for students to improve their understanding – and their grade.

10. Practical Advantages  Quizzes are easy to write.  The whole issue with absent students is not an issue.  I make the answer key when I make the photocopies of the quiz.  Grading is efficient and consistent. The same, holistic key is used for every objective.  Scoring from the holistic key translate directly to grades.

11. Resources Resources are available at http://faculty.wiu.edu/JR-Olsen/wiu/assessment/SBA.html (linked from Jim Olsen’s homepage)