Navigating the Shift
Navigating the Shift
In the field of education, where the focus is to ensure that all students meet specific standards, teachers play a crucial role in shaping the learning experience. As educators in Texas, mastering the details of the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) and integrating these concepts can lead to a more effective education.
In the article "From Formative Assessment to Assessment for Learning," Rick Stiggins highlights a shift in school objectives. Schools should no longer be a place for sorting students, but should prioritize the achievement of specific standards for each student (Stiggins, 2005). The emotional impact of assessments, particularly on students who consistently struggle, are emphasized. Stiggins argues for a removal from traditional anxiety-producing assessment practices to a more formative approach that promotes hope, continuous effort, and confidence (Stiggins, 2005). Formative assessment is becoming increasingly important as it offer students ongoing evidence of their progress and success.
Standard-Based Grading
The concept of Standard-Based Grading (SBG) introduced by TeacherEase is an innovative approach that focuses on learning and increasing achievement (TeacherEase, 2019). SBG breaks down subject matter into smaller learning targets, prioritizing mastery over completion rates, and uses a different grading scale to indicate increasing skill levels (TeacherEase, 2019). Analyzing the learning objectives is essential to ensure that students are steadily advancing towards a comprehensive understanding. Teachers find SBG to be a helpful tool for adjusting instruction to meet the unique needs of each student, allowing them to progress at their own pace. Some advantages of SBG are improved feedback, student ownership of education, more relevant instruction, intrinsic motivation, emotional safety, and accurate measurement of learning (TeacherEase, 2019).
Standard-Based Grading’s focus on accurate measurement of learning (TeacherEase, 2019) is particularly relevant for teachers as it ensures a fair evaluation of student’s understanding of the concepts being taught. Additionally, the specificity and mastery-focused approach of SBG provide a practical framework for ensuring students meet the academic standards set by assessments like STAAR.
As an educator using the learning objectives to guide instruction, it's crucial to understand the implications of these assessment practices. By embracing formative assessment and SBG, teachers can better monitor student progress, provide target feedback, and adjust instruction to meet the individual needs.
While the readings provide valuable insights, further exploration is needed to understand how to effectively implement formative assessment and SBG in the classroom (Stiggins, 2005; TeacherEase, 2019). Stiggins and TeacherEase discuss the importance of changing the emotional environment, but specific strategies and examples of successful implementations would be beneficial. Finally, staying updated on the latest research and best practices in formative assessment and SBG within the realm of education would ensure ongoing improvement and relevance in teaching practices (Stiggins, 2005; TeacherEase, 2019).
As we adapt to the field of education, embracing these transformative assessment practices can lead to a more inclusive, engaging, and successful education experience for all students.
Additional Resource:
References:
Stiggins, R. (2005). From Formative Assessment to Assessment for Learning: A Path to Success in Standards-Based Schools. The Phi Delta Kappan, 87(4), 324-328.
TeacherEase. (2019). What is Standards-based Grading? Teacherease.com. https://www.teacherease.com/standards-based-grading.aspx
Everything You Need to Know about Standards-Based Grading. (2023).
Everything You Need to Know about Standards-Based Grading. (2023).
Ricardo,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your insights into standards-based assessments. This sentence, "Some advantages of SBG are improved feedback, student ownership of education, more relevant instruction, intrinsic motivation, emotional safety, and accurate measurement of learning," really resonated. As we have begun implementing blended learning in some of our schools, these components make blended learning successful. Your image of bringing down the letter grades was on point. The transition assessment graphic by learning objectives helped summarize and visualize your standards-based assessments. I enjoyed reading your blog.
Ricardo,
ReplyDeleteYour blog post really hit home for me as an educator in Texas. It brilliantly brings together Rick Stiggins' insights on formative assessment with the practical application of standards-based grading (SBG) and the TEKS framework. You truly captured Stiggins' emphasis on shifting away from traditional assessment practices towards a more supportive and growth-oriented approach resonates deeply with my experiences in the classroom. The mention of the emotional impact on struggling students reminds me of specific instances where I've seen this firsthand, highlighting the importance of fostering hope and confidence through formative assessment.
The integration of SBG into the discussion adds another layer of relevance, especially considering its focus on mastery and individualized learning. As someone who strives to tailor instruction to meet the diverse needs of my students, SBG aligns with my approach towards teaching. The inclusion of the video reference was a fantastic touch, injecting some liveliness into the post and reinforcing the importance of the topic in a multimedia format.
A question that feels particularly pertinent as we continue to navigate the complexities of education in today's world is what specific actions could be taken to better support teachers in implementing these strategies effectively? Thank you, your post serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of formative assessment and SBG in creating more inclusive and engaging learning environments. I look forward to continuing learning from you through future posts.