assessment

Writing a Pre and Post Assessment of Kids Before and After they Start Using Online Newspaper

by Mark March 11, 2011 assessment

We plan on comparing student data related to use of an online elementary newspaper. Tracking students who engage with the newspaper and students who have not engaged with the student newspaper. As a short term solution, we are drafting a survey of student opinions on the skill sets used in developing content for the newspaper. Your suggestions in the form of comments below are welcome.

Keeping Education Test Scores Low – Apparently a laudible goal for state government.

by Mark February 28, 2010 assessment

The Washington Post brags it’s reporting helped Virginia officials decide to sharply limit the alternative testing program to the No Child Left Behind. This alternative test is called the Virginia Grade Level Alternative (or VGLA). It is a portfolio assessment. A portfolio assessment is exactly as it sounds–a collection of work-product done by the student showing mastery of each test question.
The Post claims growing numbers of students are being assessed this alternative way and test scores are noticeably higher as a result.

Monthly Performance Reviews at Work

by Mark January 25, 2010 assessment

As budgets tighten and more discretionary money is tied to testing, teaching students to learn to think starts to get in the way of “getting the money.” On average, in Kindergarten, one standardized test is required every 10 days. Think about it. If you had a job review every 10 days, the focus would be on doing well on the review not doing your job.

21 Things That Will Be Obsolete in 2020? Try 2010.

by Mark December 16, 2009 assessment

A list of 21 things in Education some believe will be obsolete. At a small title one elementary school outside Washington, many of them already are.

Best Tracking of Student Data (for Behavior Plans or Anything) for the Busy Teacher

by Mark May 30, 2009 assessment

If you need to collect data (from parents, from colleagues, from students) or inventory a lot of little things, or do the data collection for a behavior intervention plan you are trying to prove works to parents and the administration, Google Docs provides one easy way.