Secondary Spotlight
November 15, 2015
"Drilling Down, Holding Fast"
As we drill down data and look at individual students, hold fast to what you know is the game changer for students- building relationships! We know this is not a class that is offered at the post -secondary level, it is something that is intrinsic, sincere and genuine that each of you possess and model in your schools. Celebrate the small victories that you and your teachers make each day! Give thanks that these students are in your life, because I am sure they are thankful for you.
Happy Thanksgiving to each of you!
Christie
Lee High School dance magnet performance at their Veteran's Day program. Outstanding performance!
Lee High School's Color Guard and Choir honoring our Veterans.
Grading: Formative versus Summative Assessments
Rick Wormelli states teachers spend the majority of their time creating summative assessments. However, he continues to share that the greatest impact on student mastery is through formative assessments. More importantly, the critical piece is descriptive feedback that the teacher gives the students that addresses three key points:
1. What was the goal of this assessment?
2. Where are you on achieving/ mastering the standard?
3. How will we close the gap?
As teachers develop lesson plans, they should be able to circle at least one formative assessment. Of course, there are also informal assessments that are conducted daily as well and are very valuable in determining student mastery.
Are teachers using a variety of assessments to capture the summative piece which should include project based learning, labs, writing, etc.? How are your teachers using formative assessments?
High school principals- please ensure that your teachers are building common formative assessments for their final exams. Have the department chairs share the exams at a leadership meeting prior to final exams. Ensure exams measure mastery based on standards addressed the first semester. Exams should also reflect higher order questioning as well.
Below is the link for Wormelli's Formative versus Summative Assessment Ted Talk.
I would like to hear what your school is doing to address formative and summative assessments. We know that the formative process drives differentiated instruction. If you have some strategies that you are using, please share!
The Week Ahead
November 16- Progress reports go home
November 18- Digital 1:1 (Rena has notified schools that are being visited)
November 19- Title I Budget Meetings; Freshman Academy Adminsitrators' Roundtable, Lee; Board Meeting 5:30 PM
November 20- High school round table, 8:30 Lee High School/NCTHS
UPCOMING EVENTS:
November 30- High school principals send home semester exam letter
December 5- AP Math Study Session at Columbia High school
December 8- Principals' Meeting
Reminders:
Vacation- If you are taking vacation next Monday or Tuesday, please submit your request via Kronos.
PLC, DATA Meeting Agendas- Just a reminder to upload your agendas to your Dropbox. We will eventually move this into One Drive.
GRADES- PLEASE ensure that teachers are uploading at least one grade per week.
PD Credit- Please make sure to submit a form for teachers to receive PD credit.