Performance-Based Assessments
Performance-based assessments help make learning authentic, complex, and engaging for students. Check out Edutopia's "Performance-Based Assessments: Reviewing the Basics" for more information!
5th Grade Writing
Virginia uses a local alternative assessment (LAA) to assess 5th grade writing skills, in lieu of an SOL test. Shenandoah County Public Schools uses two performance-based assessments (PBAs) to fulfill this requirement. PBAs were created by teams of teachers and revised throughout the years by teachers and the curriculum specialist. All 5th grade English teachers should plan to include both PBAs in their curriculum and assess student work using the VDOE's rubric, which is located in the folder linked below. Teachers report student scores to the school division and state at the end of the year.
High School Writing
High school students prepare to take the ACT's Business Writing WorkKeys, but teachers are also encouraged to incorporate PBAs based on the SCPS Writing Expectations into their curriculum. Unit plans that can be used for these PBAs are linked below.