Too much testing in schools today? I think everyone has heard something to that effect said over the past 10 years. There is no doubt that balance is key. I also have no doubt that any testing is too much if nothing is done with the data!
January is the time for mid year assessments. Students at KES participate in MAP testing for Math and Reading. We also conduct AIMSWeb benchmarking and our Common Formative Assessments.
All this - but is it worth it? Yes, because we use the data.
AIMSWeb benchmarking only takes a few minutes. It is a screener - like vision or hearing. A quick checkup to show that reading fluency is on track. Should a student exhibit lower reading levels, interventions are put in place to specifically help that student improve.
MAP testing measures student growth from first grade through eighth. The Winter assessment shows exactly where a student has grown this year compared to Fall and where, if any, areas show a lack of growth. Each classroom teacher can tailor instruction to meet each student's needs.
Common Formative Assessments measure our programs and classrooms. The results help teachers make sure they are teaching the specific skills prescribed by state standards. A check in of sorts.
Our staff has always cared about students and learning. The data we obtain from these assessments allows all of us to better meet individual student needs - better than any time in the past.
Monday, January 14, 2013
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