Assessments	Types	Function
Student Practice Papers	Formative Assessment	Students show knowledge of subject area
Chapter Tests	Summative Assessment	Students show comprehension of content
Observations	Formative Assessment	Students responses give immediate feedback
Maps	Criterion Referenced	Students show knowledge of various map skills
ISAT testing	Maximum Performance	Fourth grade test to compare school to others

Are the assessments you currently use appropriate for the tasks?

The creation of the table above showed that the current assessments in social studies were  incomplete.  Students were given only one opportunity to show me what they've learned at the end of each chapter.  This was in a multiple choice test format.  I've developed a plan that will better accommodate all learners.  Students will have an opportunity to write in paragraph form the information they've accummulated using notebook assessments.  These assessments can easily be modified.  Students with learning disabilities will be given a list of information to include in their writing.  Students who are not capable of presenting their knowledge in written form will have an opportunity to discuss the contents of the chapter.  In addition to the notebook assessments, students will also generate individual and group performance assessments that include peer and self evaluation.  These will be given after chapter lessons.  The peer and self evaluations will give the students a chance to reflect on their learning and develop strategies to enhance their participation in group work. The use of various types of summative assessments will give a more accurate and reliable account of student's knowledge. Portfolios will also be used to help students evaluate their work.  Each quarter they will choose performance assessments to include in their portfolios.
 
 

Assessment	Type	Function
Student Practice Papers	Formative Assessment	Determines learning progress, provides feedback
Individual Performance Assessments	Complex Performance Assessment	Measurement of performance in contexts
Group Performance Checklist	Summative	Provides information concerning social development of group work
Student Portfolios	Formative	Student self evaluation
Self Assessment Checklist	Summative	Describes student's perception of performance
Peer Assessment Checklist	Formative	Provides feedback for performance
Map Skills Test	Criterion Referenced	Describes student performance according to a specified domain of clearly defined learning tasks
Chapter Tests	Fixed Choice test	Efficient measurement of skills and knowledge
Notebooks	Summative	Determines end of course achievement-certifying mastery of objectives
ISAT	Norm Referenced	Describes student performance according to relative position in some known group

back to main page