Assessment Tips

This week in class we learned about some tips for assessment in math. The first tip that was shared was to focus on one standard at a time on a test or quiz because if you are trying to assess too much then both the students and the teacher can become worn down and will not perform as well as they would like to. It is important to remember that we must allow students to demonstrate what they know and what they can do. Including questions that are more thematic and conceptual will allow students to personalize their answers and incorporate their learning style into their answer. Often students will have anxiety about writing tests, providing them with the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and how they got there will take some of the pressure away.

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When marking students work it is important to provide them with effective feedback on what they did well and next steps. Provide students with the next steps they need to follow in order to be successful on future tests or assignments. Give students the encouragement that they can be successful at math with a growth mindset. Descriptive feedback is important because students will use this feedback throughout the year, the comments are more individual versus students just receiving a grade and comparing scores with one another.

It is important to include the three kinds of assessment throughout any unit. Assessment as learning, for learning, and of learning. Providing students with various opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge provides them with the opportunity to be successful. The key goal of assessment is to improve student learning and to actively engage students in their learning. Students and teachers can come up with the success criteria together to ensure they understand the task at hand. Teachers can use the gradual release of responsibility model when it comes to assessment. First teachers can model the task, have guided instruction that eventually leads to independent instruction. Provide students with opportunities to practice in class as well as to self-assess.

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As educators it is crucial that we provide assessment for students that is fair and equitable. Provide different ways of demonstrating their knowledge by modifying the process or even he product. Students that may be more hands on learners may enjoy making something for their product while others may enjoy a write-up. Differentiation when it comes to assessment is key. The needs of the students must always be taken into consideration.