Assessment

First off I just want to say that be accident I read chapter 5 over the weekend instead of 15! It was not until I read that the post was to focus on assessment that I realized I read the wrong chapter. If anyone is interested chapter 5 is very informative and focuses on literature conversations.

With regard to assessment, I have never had to formally assess a student. I have only taught children's art and computer classes. The classes are small so I am able to interact with each child and really get to know them. I found it interesting that the words assessment came from the Latin word assidere which means to sit beside someone.

Continuing, I agree that observation is not good enough, and that it is the analysis and what we do with our observations and assessments that count. Assessment should support and improve instruction. That is why standardized tests should not be the sole form of assessment. Besides the fact that it only tests certain things and some children are just not strong test takers, the teachers often cannot determine whether or not what they did to prepare the children was helpful or not.

just saw the time, gotta run, will post more in an hour!!!