Assessment

Using Assessment to Promote Student Learning
Assessment is an essential part of my instructional approach, not just to measure progress, but to actively support student learning. I use assessments to identify student needs, adjust instruction, and provide timely, meaningful feedback. In my classroom, assessment is ongoing and purposeful. It’s designed to build confidence, promote reflection, and create growth opportunities. I also make effective use of assessment data to creatively and efficiently adapt my teaching methods, ensuring my instruction continues to meet the evolving needs of my students. My approach is reflective and dynamic, as I strive to improve the learning experience for every learner.

Using Data to Drive Instruction
Assessment data (both formal and informal) is a critical part of my instructional decision-making. I regularly review student work and assessment results to identify trends and areas for improvement. For example, when I observed that several students were struggling with dialogue in their writing, I restructured upcoming lessons to include targeted modeling, guided practice, and conferencing. Also, when I realized the students were struggling with three-digit addition and subtraction based on exit ticket data, I designed an escape room to review these skills before their upcoming assessment. This data-informed approach ensures my teaching remains relevant, responsive, and tailored to the needs of my students.

Differentiation in Assessment
I consistently accommodate and differentiate assessments to ensure they are accessible to all learners. Some of the strategies I use include:

• Chunked assessments to reduce cognitive overload
  
  

• Embedded graphic organizers to support organization and clarity
  
  

• Future Goal: Expanding the use of alternative formats (e.g., oral responses, visuals, videos) to allow students to demonstrate understanding in ways that reflect their strengths

These supports help students focus on content over format and promote a sense of autonomy, which can increase motivation and engagement.

Examples from Student Teaching 4th Grade Math:

                                                                    Entrance/ Exit Ticket Product Example                                                                 

Assessment Methods & Tools
I incorporate a variety of assessment methods to gain a clear picture of student understanding and academic progress:

Formative Assessments

• Exit tickets
  
  

• Turn-and-talks
  
  

• Journals and quick writes
  
  

• Observations and check-for-understanding questions
  
  

• Digital tools (e.g., Google Forms)

These tools allow me to assess in-the-moment understanding and adjust instruction accordingly.

Summative Assessments

• End-of-unit tests
  
  

• Final writing pieces
  
  

• Project-based assessments
  
  

• Presentations and performance tasks

These provide a comprehensive view of student understanding over time and help shape long-term planning. 

Summative Assessment Example: