Friday, August 15, 2008
Gather data in schools
We use a three faceted approach to gathering data in our school. We use MAPS results along with WKCE testing data and we combine it with immediate observation and assessment by the teacher in the classroom. I think it is important for the teacher to be involved in the process and not solely rely on test data to see if a child is learning or improving. The test data is very objective and is important but at the same time I believe a very subjective human element is needed to give a balanced picture to student learning and achievement.
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3 comments:
Ron, I think you hit it on the head - the TEACHER and the personal touch are the most important things in education, learning, and evaluating in my opinion. Anyone can read the results of a test, but a real teacher can say if that test depicts the real person behind it. We need to be aware of the poor test-takers and those who know what they are doing but choke on tests. The personal approach is the only way.
How is this "subjective element" combined with the other pieces. Are teachers making decisions together after examining all the data?
a)I agree with you Helen.
b)Louis, your question is a good one and I don't have a hard answer for it. The subjective element includes the subtle nuances of the student day to day, week to week, and month to month. The snapshot images produced by testing allow the teacher insight into the momentary analysis of the students ability and it is correct that these snapshots add up over time but they are only a part of the whole. Having said that, the public really doesn't care about the nurturing nature of the classroom, they want hard quantifiable results. Teachers should make decisions togehther to ensure a solid and continual flow of learning through the years but this doesn't always happen. At my school I can look at what I do and change that, but because I am the only teacher I can only reflect on me and my attempts. I do make an effort to communicate with teachers below me and above me in grade levels but this is not always the case.
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