How Assessment Drives Instruction

In order to determine which style of learning any given student utilizes most, it is necessary to conduct formative and summative assessments such as running records, observing the student, interviewing the student and their parent(s), evaluating a portfolio, and collecting data from rubrics or other sources.

These types of assessments drive instruction because in order to instruct you must first assess the learning styles of students to discover which method of instruction will work for that student in the classroom. Once this information is determined a teacher can use it to differentiate instruction and better meet the learning needs of all students.

Completing the following journal helped me to understand the importance of analyzing data in order to properly differentiate classroom instruction as necessary. Another type of assessment that can facilitate collaboration and instruction are surveys. The student educational survey, reinforcer survey, and parent survey below are surveys I used while teaching at the school district of Philadelphia.

I was not surprised to learn a lot about my classes. It is nice to find out students want to tell me when they did a good job or that my class is their favorite. More helpful are their responses to school-based reinforcers, such as whether a student would prefer computer time or other special privilege, that can be implemented as motivation for students to follow instructions and complete work.