Overview
- Chapter 3 Assessment helps teachers judge their effectiveness and plan instruction. Chapter 3 helps pre-service teachers understand and use portfolio assessment, running records, rubrics, informal reading inventories, and other forms of assessment. The importance of preparing students for
high-stakes testing and using their results appropriately is discussed.
This is probably my second favorite topic in the textbook. I believe with a passion that we as teachers do not utilize assessment as often nor as effectively as we should. One result is that much time is wasted in classrooms on things that are not needed. We have such limited time that we need to utilize it in the most effective manner available. Without assessment we cannot know what that is! Another result is that students often fail to receive the needed instruction simply because we are not aware it is needed. Students can often appear to understand more than they actually do. The only way to truly know this is through a variety of assessments. - Chapter 3 Objectives After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
1. Describe methods for determining a student’s reading level.
2. Describe literacy assessment tools.
3. Explain the use of portfolio assessment.
4. Describe ways in which teachers can prepare students for high-stakes testing. - How Effective Teachers Assess Students' Literacy Development 1. Teachers determine students’ independent, instructional and frustration reading levels.
2. Teaches informally monitor students’ progress in reading and writing.
3. Teachers use diagnostic assessments to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses and then provide instruction to address problem areas.
4. Teachers have students document their learning in portfolios.
5. Teachers prepare students for high-stakes tests without sacrificing their instructional programs.