Reflection:

This article touched on all of the elements of my research project. It summarized the importance of assessments and using them to drive teacher instruction. I would like to locate assessments that are based on specific reading components and make sure that they aligned to the grade levels. This article has enforced my reasoning for conducting this research project.

How Assessment Data Can Improve Instruction

Shellard, E. (2005). How assessment data can improve instruction. Retrieved from https://www.naesp.org/resources/2/Principal/2005/J-Fp30.pdf

Summary:

The article discusses how in recent years curriculum has changed to align to state standards, and in order to meet those standards, frequent assessments are necessary for teachers to ensure that their students are meeting the requirements. The following quote from the article summarizes the need for assessments, “In a standards-based classroom, assessment is an integral part of instruction and that it is aligned with the curriculum. The teacher collects the evidence of the student’s knowledge, their ability to use that knowledge, and their disposition toward learning. Student performance is monitored to promote learning, to adjust instruction, and to report progress” (Midgett, 2001).  The article goes on to talk about the importance of assessments because they assist the teacher in knowing whether the students are learning the material, or whether she has to return to that concept to reteach it. It also mentions developing assessments that are aligned to the standards by choosing specific standards, that are most important, and basing the assessments specifically on those. Based on the results, changes in the curriculum, schedule or teaching method can take place. Using data to drive improvement shows up as a characteristic of many successful schools (Shellard, 2005).

Reflection (Article 3):

This article took every area of an effective assessment and broke it down for an improved understanding of what to look for in a benchmark assessment. This is an article that will be helpful and one that I will be able to refer to when creating my assessments for my problem statement.

Benchmark Assessment for Improved Learning

Herman, J. L., Osmundson, E., & Dietel, R. (2010). Benchmark assessments for improved learning (AACC Policy Brief). Los Angeles, CA: University of California. Retrieved from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED524108.pdf

Summary:

This article explains the importance of benchmark assessments and the steps to take when creating such assessments. The National Research Council (NRC) defines a quality assessment system as one that is (a) coherent, (b) comprehensive, and (c) continuous (NRC, 2001). The assessments must test a variety of skills and knowledge that are required in the Common Core Standards. By following these requirements, benchmark assessments will aide in the teacher’s understanding of a student’s needs and strengths. This outcome will improve the teaching approach, because specific points of deficiencies can be addressed in the lessons.

Benchmark assessments should be utilized to communicate expectations, monitor lesson effectiveness and predict future performance (Herman, Osmundson, & Dietel, 2010). These assessments help in determining which skills are lacking within the classroom or which students require more attention based on the impaired skill. The teacher can adjust her lessons based on the results of her assessments. As these assessments are implemented, the teacher can monitor the effectiveness of her instruction, curriculum and resources that she is utilizing.

In choosing specific assessments, certain factors must be met in order to produce an effective, well-informed assessment. Some criteria to keep in mind when selecting these assessments are, validity, alignment, and reliability (Herman, Osmundson, & Dietel, 2010).  The assessment must measure the specific need that is being assessed. For example, if a student is being assessed on speed and accuracy of reading, then the assessment must be specific to fluency. The assessments that are administered must also be aligned with the Common Core Standards, in order to ensure that those specific needs are being addressed. The assessments must also be reliable. When choosing assessments, the consistency of scores should be taken into account. When choosing a assessment, we should look for publishers that provide reliable indicators for their benchmark assessments (Herman, Osmundson, & Dietel, 2010).

Benchmark assessments can be an effective tool that help teachers in their monitoring of student’s needs and strengths. When choosing these assessments, certain criteria must be met in order to create effective, well-rounded and clear assessments that will measure the intended needs of the students.