Using Multiple Assessments to Evaluate Student Learning in the Social Studies

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Using Multiple Assessments to Evaluate Student
Learning in the Social Studies

• Lee-Anne T. Spalding, Ed. D.
• Chapin, R. (2009). Elementary Social Studies A
  Practical Guide 7th Edition. Pearson Boston, MA.

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Testing Definitions
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• Assessment- the process for gathering information
  about student learning (most common example-
  paper and pencil tests)
• Evaluation- the judgments and interpretations on
  how well students have achieved (common examples-
  letter grades A,B,C and rankings Satisfactory,
  Unsatisfactory Demonstrated, Not Demonstrated
• Testing- the procedure for gathering data to
  check is learning objectives have been achieved
• Value Added Assessment- refers to proficiency or
  achievement at years end and growth or progress
  on end of the year tests (NCLB AYP)

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Purpose of Assessing/Testing

• Check to see if the objectives have been
  achieved
• EXPERTS suggest that teachers
• Determine if standards/objectives have been met
• Use multiple measures to assess student
  achievement
• Use assessment to guide instruction
• Make formative evaluations (throughout)
• Make summative evaluations (end of unit-compare
  to pre- test)
• EXPERTS worry-
• Poor teaching practices that teach to the test
• Drill and Kill instruction
• Cheating

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Federal and State Roles in Testing
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NCLB

• No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
• Biggest education reform act in a quarter century
• Passed House (381-41) and Senate (87-10)
• All schools were to be held to high, measurable
  standards to increase student achievement for all
  groups these standards set by individual states
• Broad accountability testing to take place in
  grades 3-8 (FCAT)
• Failing schools faced serious sanctions (ie.
  Vouchers, replacement of staff, converting to
  charter status)
• Revised

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FCAT

• Created by the state of Florida as required by
  NCLB
• Will cease to exist in FL in 2014 but will be
  replaced by another high-stakes test
• High stakes/standards based testing- rewards and
  penalties directed at
• Students- promotion/retention
• Administrators- loss of job or a transfer
• Districts- State could take direct control over
  school or district

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Interesting Take on NCLB

• This is the football version of what is going on
  in education right now. For all educators in and
  out of the education system
• All teams must make the state playoffs and all
  MUST win the championship If a team does not win
  the championship, they will be on probation until
  they are the champions, and coaches will be held
  accountable. If after two years they have not won
  the championship their footballs and equipment
  will be taken away UNTIL they do win the
  championship.
• All kids will be expected to have the same
  football skills at the same time, even if they do
  not have the same conditions or opportunities to
  practice on their own. NO exceptions will be made
  for lack of interest in football, a desire to
  perform athletically, or genetic abilities or
  disabilities of themselves or their parents. ALL
  KIDS WILL PLAY FOOTBALL AT A PROFICIENT LEVEL!
• Talented players will be asked to workout on
  their own, without instruction. This is because
  the coaches will be using all their instructional
  time with the athletes who aren't interested in
  football, have limited athletic ability or whose
  parents don't like football.
• Games will be played year round, but statistics
  will only be kept in the 4th, 8th, and 11th game.
  This will create a New Age of Sports where every
  school is expected to have the same level of
  talent and all teams will reach the same minimum
  goals. If no child gets ahead, then no child gets
  left behind. If parents do not like this new law,
  they are encouraged to vote for vouchers and
  support private schools that can screen out the
  non-athletes and prevent their children from
  having to go to school with bad football players.

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NAEP

• National Assessment of Educational Progress
• Mandated by Congress since 1969
• Measures student growth criterion based
• Large samples of American students tested in
  grades 4, 8, 12
• Results generalized to the entire nation
• Shows the strengths and weaknesses of American
  students Nations Report Card
• Two NAEP assessments- one does cover SS the
  other covers reading,writing, math and science
• http//nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard

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Performance Based Assessment
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AKAAuthentic Assessment

• One example
• www.nwrel.org/scpd/sirs/6
• Portfolio- file or folder of student work
  collected over time
• Elements
• Learner goals or objectives
• Guidelines for selecting student work (Teacher
  HB)
• Table of Contents
• Work Samples (chosen by teacher and student)
• Multiple assessments (tests)/evaluations
  (rubrics)

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Paper and Pencil Tests
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Types of

• Short answer
• Multiple choice
• Matching
• T/F or binary
• MUST align with instructional objectives
• Often not teacher created but prepared tests that
  accompany the adopted text

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Informal Evaluations
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Types of

• Students answering questions
• Student self-evaluation/reflection
• Questionnaire
• Learning Log- What more could I learn?
• Games
• Jeopardy
• Twenty Questions
• IWB games
• Observation (most common and used)
• Class or small group discussion
• Oral reports, presentations, role play,
  dramatizations, etc

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Conferences, Open House, Grades and Report Cards
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Grades and Report Cards

• Typically A-F different point scales exist
• Three to Four grading periods each include a
  progress report and report card
• Sample report card or just discuss latest SCPS
  version narrative to extremely general
• Learning goals and scales used in class scales
  of 1-4.
• 1minimal understanding 2sort of 3got it and
  4advanced understanding
• LEVEL THREE is considered mastery!

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How would you create a friendly environment for
Open House?

• Have a nice, clean classroom.
• Have class projects displayed around the
  classroom.
• Have student-made books on the bookshelves in the
  reading center.
• Have a DVD slideshow of the students engaging in
  everyday class activities.
• Have an agenda on the students desk for the
  parents to read.
• Have snacks for the parents set up at a table.
• Have a my family bulletin board of students and
  their various family members.

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What would you share with parents at Open House?

• Show daily schedule. (Classroom Scavenger Hunt)
• List your classroom rules and expectations.
• Give brief personal background and education.
• Communicate the goals for the year.
• Share some fun activities planned for the year.
  Have sign up sheets for conferences, email
  addresses
• Show work that students have done (class book or
  a video of what they do (with signed parental
  consent).
• Have an information board or classroom website
  (Fields).
• Leave some time for questions.
• Give an explanation of teaching methods.

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How would you speak to parents? What would you
wear?

• Use formal English with a friendly tone.
• Dont talk down to parents.
• Be prepared with ideas and information.
• Dress professionally
• -no revealing/tight clothing (low cleavage,
  short skirts)
• -functional shoes
• -no visible tattoos or body piercings
• -wear appropriate jewelry, makeup, hairstyles
  etc.

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How would you prepare for a conference?

• Prepare ahead of time. Complete conference form
  in advance with topics needing to be discussed.
• Practice what you will say. (Sandwich technique)
• Gather evidence students work, favorite
  activity, etc.
• Prepare your conference setting (adult chairs)

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What would you share with parents at a
conference?

• Childs progress - academic, physical, social
• Childs behavior (sandwich technique- good, bad,
  good)
• Childs daily routine and examples of work
• Introduce new and upcoming curriculum and events.
• Discuss parents and your own concerns, comments,
  questions.
• Provide at home activities to foster learning and
  growth in the childs problem areas.

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How should you share difficult information with
parents? Example The child is retained.

• Hold regular conferences with at-risk childrens
  parents so they are not surprised.
• Provide documentation and examples of the
  students work
• Have another professional present.
• It should definitely be a face-to-face
  conference.
• Provide information for the parents on the
  positive effects.
• Provide the parent with information on how to
  help.

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Meet the Teacher Poem

• As sugar and flour come together to make A
  wonderful cookie creation that you bake, Parents
  and teachers join as one To create an educated
  daughter or son. It takes lots of love, caring
  and understanding But an individual will emerge
  who is special notwithstanding. We will work
  together to help each child bloom So they can
  grow and prosper as they learn in this room. So
  I share this little confection with you as I say
  I am committed to helping your child grow each
  and every day. Yes, the road is long, but the
  journey's begun As we strive together to educate
  your daughter or your son.
• This year I am going to put a baggie with 2
  cookies in it on the desk for the parents with
  the following poem
•  

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Open House Scavenger Hunt

• Please complete the following scavenger hunt
•  
• 1. Find your childs seat and leave them a note
  to be read in the morning.
•  
• 2. Find 3 pieces of your childs work in our
  classroom.
•  
• 3. Please sign up for a conference time and
  record it.
• 4. Find the calendar and look at all of the
  activities we do. Ask your child to sing the
  Months of the Year song when you get home.
•  
• 5. Find the classroom number and write it on the
  line provided 407- ______________
• 6. Please find the Giving Tree and take an apple
  for anything youd be willing to donate to our
  class!
•  
• Thank you for coming! ?