Assessment

InTASC Standard #6: The teacher understands and uses multiple methods of assessment to engage learners in their own growth, to monitor learner progress, and to guide the teacher’s and learner’s decision making

Introduction to Assessment

Assessment is a critical tool that enables me to understand where students are in their current scientific understandings and what actions they and I, as their teacher, need to take in order to further support them in their growth. Assessment provides me with valuable information regarding student progress towards both scientific objectives as well as individual student goals.

Assessments that are purposeful, timely, rigorous, and standards-based are integral to my classroom environment. If students are able to understand their current mastery and potential areas for improvement, then they can improve as learners and critical thinkers. Further, the information gleaned from assessments can help both learners and teachers make even better decisions about next steps during the learning journey. Effective and differentiated assessments are critical in that they inform how I deliver daily content, plan for future interventions and supports, and extend learning for all of my unique and talented students.

Please proceed below to learn how I actively work to apply multiple methods of assessment, engage learners in their own growth and development, monitor learner progress, and make data-informed decisions in my 7th grade science classroom.

Conclusions

Assessments are crucial tools that help me determine where students are in their learning, (both individually and as a class,) where they still need to grow, and what we can do together in order to ensure their continuous improvement towards mastery of rigorous science content.

Multiple methods of assessment ensure that together, my students and I, have a holistic understanding about their current mastery of scientific standards as well as opportunities for growth. They also allow me to ensure that I create curricular assets that are engaging, relevant, and accessible to a variety of learners in my classroom. Engaging students in their own growth through assessments tests student's ability to progress as well as invest in their own learning as they become cognizant of the relevance of their work and of possibilities for improvement. As this is a dynamic and ongoing process, I work with students to continuously monitor learner progress and determine what they have mastered and what they need more work on. Assessment data thus guides my instructional decisions and changes the ways in which I take action to move my students towards mastery. Assessment data provides me with valuable information about specific changes I must make to help all learners succeed.