Group Summary on Assessments (Roe, Vanessa, Dwayne, Nurdan & Elizabeth)

We all agreed on the importance of using a variety of assessment tools (retelling, portfolios, rubrics, tests, etc.) to assess our students and direct our teaching practices. Portfolios was viewed as one of the better assessment tools. As Vanessa wrote, "Having the student select pieces of their portfolio for parent conferences will let them see their progress throughout the year." Roe wrote in her blog, "I also believe that portfolios are one of the best ways of evaluating, I believe that you put the best of your best into a portfolio. You can then reflect on what you've learned and your parents can see your accomplishments." I, however, have a problem with portfolios that only showcase students' best works. In my blog I wrote, "I think if you let students pick out what they want in their portfolios after they see their grade, of course they are going to pick out the work they really did well on." I think a portfolio should contain students' best works and not-so-great works. I think this would depict a more realistic picture of the learner.

Dwayne had a lot of interesting thoughts concerning standardized testing. He wrote in his blog, "The ability to perform on standardized testing is becoming increasingly important because schools and the employment market are moving intensely towards more means of standardization as opposed to moving away from it." He also went on mention an article he read by Nakonia Hayes entitled "Like It or Not, We are a Test Driven Society" to further emphasize the move towards standardization. It's a real eye-opener. Check it out on his blog. You have to read what some schools plan on doing with the scores. One school plans to require students to pass the state assessment test in order to graduate. We try to calm students and parents by telling them, "Don't worry about the test" but look at what some schools are doing with the scores. Dwayne also wrote, "The aforementioned examples will eventually serve to ostracize those that do not have the test taking skills necessary to compete with those that do. It is not my contention to advocate a move towards more standardization in assessment but to merely acknowledge the consequences that will be evident as a result. Ultimately, if students do not improve their test taking abilities then it will be difficult for them to gain entry into post-secondary education, participate as active members in the employment market, and consequently pursue their dreams."

I will end with something Roe wrote in her blog, "I believe that assessments can be a great tool if used properly. I think self assessing a lesson at the end of the day, is a great way to improve yourself. You can look at what went right and why but more importantly what did not work and why and then how can you fix that."