Assessment
Getting the information we need to help our students succeed
“Assessment is not about you as a teacher; it is about your students” (Lopez, 2013, p. 97)
I have always been on the outside looking in when it comes to assessments. I have watched teachers give assessments, and supervised children taking assessments, but I have never given an assessment. Therefore my view of assessments has always been a way to track where the students are in their learning. After reading chapter 8 in NEU, Mr. Lopez has open my attitude towards assessments. I see now how they can benefit both the teacher and student when used correctly. I also see that yes, they are a took to track students learning, but they can also be used to help the student be successful.
Being Comfortable with assessements.
The four questions Mr. Lopez asked about assessment hit at the heart of what I think every teacher thinks or asks themselves when giving assessments.
- Why are you participating in the assessments that you use with students?
- Can you share in explicit detail the value that you find in each assessment?
- Do you participate in assessments that you find no value in for students?
- Are you using an assessment you have no idea how to deliver, but are afraid to ask for help with?
(Lopez, 2013, p. 98)
Making my students my partner in assessments.
I have never thought of making my students a partner in assessments, I thought all they needed to do was answer the questions they were given. In chapter 8 of NEU Mr. Lopez tells the story of a student that was happy because he had been assessed and knew that he had achieved a higher step to his goal. This refection showed me that if I talk to my students and explain to them why we are doing assessments and how it can benefit them, they may be more willing to do their best both in the assessments and reaching their goals.
References
Lopez, D. (2013). No Excuses University: How Six Exceptional Systems are Revolutionizing our Schools. Turnaround Schools Publications.