Assessment

My Beliefs about Assessment

1. Assessment helps determine teacher planning and instruction.

2. Assessment should be varied and ongoing to provide a well-rounded picture of each child.

3. During classroom assessments, students should be evaluated by using authentic tasks.

4. Rubrics, checklists, anecdotal records, digital photos and videos and portfolios should be utilized to assist the teacher and parent in monitoring each child’s learning.

5. Assessment should be consistent and integrated as a regular part of each day.

6. The teacher has the professional knowledge to administer the assessments.

Assessments help me make decisions about your child’s instruction. It is important that you know about these assessments so that you are aware of how your child is learning in first grade.

Assessments may be either written or observations. They are an ongoing and continuous process to gather a “picture” of your child's learning from the beginning of the year to the end.

Assessments may be administered individually, in small groups, or in a whole class setting. Some are school required or state mandated tests, some are curriculum based and others are designed by the teacher based on classroom or individual needs.

So ... How is my child doing in school?

Parent-teacher conferences in November and March are a time when we can discuss your child’s progress. If you would like a conference any other time, please let me know. If you have any concerns or questions at any time, please send me an e-mail or a note.

Report cards are another way that your child’s progress is communicated. In the social and work habits area on the report card, an S means that your child is doing satisfactory with the skill. An I means that your child needs to work to improve his/her performance with the skill.

In the academic areas on the report card, your child’s performance is given a 1 if needing improvement, 2 for working toward grade level expectations, 3 for meeting grade level expectations and 4 for exceeding grade level expectations.

Throughout the school year, I use checklists, rubrics, daily observations, digital photos and videos, portfolios and other measures to help me accurately represent your child’s learning.
If you do not understand how I have evaluated your child’s learning, please ask me to explain my system. I will be happy to share it with you.

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