Friday River Launch
October 18, 2019
Why Common Assessments? Part 1
From, "The Power of Common Formative Assessments" By Kim Bailey
"A "common formative assessment is when a team collectively gathers evidence of learning at crucial points in the instructional journey, so their students have a chance to improve upon their learning. Members of collaborative teams use the power of common formative assessments (CFAs) to ensure that each and every student attains the learning that is considered ESSENTIAL for their course or grade level.
Merely administering the assessment isn’t enough to improve student learning. Let’s look at the following key practices and principles that bring out the real power of CFAs.
1. They establish a culture of collaboration and transparency.
To make the most of CFAs, members of collaborative teams must be willing to acknowledge the need to learn together and work interdependently for the benefit of their students. They establish a transparent and trusting culture in which information from assessments is viewed as an opportunity to impact all of their students collectively. They recognize that there will be differences among their results, but commit to working without passing judgment on their overall practice.
2. They plan backward and forward with intention.
Before designing or selecting a CFA, teams get clear on their learning targets in a backward fashion, starting with the end in mind. Once clear, they create an assessment plan and design or select items aligned to those targets and based on a shared picture of proficiency. The assessment plan specifies which items are aligned to specific learning targets, so their analysis of results will give them useful and precise evidence about the proficiency of their students’ targeted skills and concepts.
Following the analysis of assessment results, teams use the information they learned to adjust their pacing and instructional plan. For example, they might determine that certain instructional strategies were more effective than others. As a follow-up, the team documents instructional moves that were most effective so they can be reminded the next time they teach the unit. Completing this follow-up step memorializes the team’s learning and sets the stage for improved results when the unit of study is taught again."
Kim Bailey's books and blogs provide simple, research based steps for improving student learning! She is a master consultant on the POWER of Common Formative Assessments!!
♥ Audrey
Good Things
Proud River Hawk mom moment last night!
Thank you, Thomas for leading our parent education night on the Healthy Choices curriculum on Tuesday night.
Excellent team work on the earthquake drill! Thank you, Fran for organizing our drill!
Upcoming Events
Oct. 23-PTSA Reflections Gala
Oct 23-Dept. meetings
Oct. 30-Team Meetings
Oct 31-2-4 pm Halloween Dance
Nov 1 and 4 Academic Awards
Nov 6-PD and Team Leader meeting
Nov 13- Faculty meeting
Focus!
Next week we will have department meetings to discuss department business and continue working on the cfa for November as needed.
Oct 23-Dept. mtg
Oct 30-Team Meetings
Nov 6-PD
Nov 13-Faculty meeting
By the Brook Notes
Have you finished your KEENAN Safe Schools Training? (sexual harassment prevention, mandated reporters, workplace bullying)
If not, please visit the Hart District staff training page to complete these training as soon as possible. Thank you!!
https://www.hartdistrict.org/apps/pages/staff-training
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Rio Norte Junior High School
Valenica, CA 91354
Audrey Asplund, Principal
Website: https://www.rionortejuniorhigh.org/
Phone: 661-295-3700