Like most secondary schools today, the school district I am observing in relies heavily on assessment. During my first week of visitations, the students were taking 4Sight tests. An entire half a day is taken out of learning to dedicate to these tests, not to mention the hours teachers must take out of their planning and teaching time to grade them. Since this school made AYP last year, the overall environment isn't' changed too much with regards to high stakes testing. Once a month the math classes are in the computer able working on Study Island and they school has created a second English-type classed called Academic Literacy. This class is designed to teach students how to properly read and analyze the types of non fiction writing they will encounter on the PSSAs.
My cooperating teacher does not focus too much of her teaching on assessment. As a middle school teacher, she must use it somewhat though, if only as a motivating tool. She gives regular quizzes and nightly graded homework. The school is run on an LEQ model, where teachers are given a district approved list of Essential Questions they must answer throughout the course of their unit. It is around these questions that my co-op builds her lessons. Everyday she strives to answer another question. As far as types of assessment goes, she uses a variety of methods. In the two weeks I've been there I've seen a usual sit down, multiple choice type test, a group project that will be graded as a test, multi-media presentations and spelling tests. The constant assessment my co-op uses acts as a motivator for students. They always know they are going to be graded on something so they pay more attention and try to successfully complete their work.
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