Chapter 14

1. Write some ideas for three or four types of assessments

   There are many different kinds of assessment. One kind is an informal assessment. These are spontaneous, or unplanned. Some examples of this type of assessment might be having students show a thumbs up or a thumbs down if they understand a concept. Another idea might be to circulate around the room while students work to see if they are meeting the objective. Another type of assessment is the criterion-referenced assessment. These types are when you look at a research based criterion to find out what students have and have not accomplished. Since I will be in the middle school social studies classroom, and idea might be for the students to list the capital cities of all 50 states with correct spelling. This will indicate what students have mastered or not mastered. A third assessment is standardized testing. Some ideas that come to mind are cumulative tests that I could give at the end of a unit. An obvious idea for this type of assessment is the TCAP test that students are required to take at the end of each school year. Paper-pencil assessments are written response tests that may require students to write an essay or answer questions in complete sentences. In social studies, students may have to write about the factors that led to the American Revolution. 

2, Pros and Cons of standardization 

   In my opinion, one pro of standardization is that it truly is reflective of a students abilities. It will turn out reflected on the effort they gave in class (most of the time). Another pro is that if a student moves to a different school system, the new staff can look at the student's score to see where they stand academically. Finally, unless there is a specific circumstance  each student receives the same standards. In other words, there is fairness in standardization (special needs students get accommodations). One con of standardization is that some students may have test anxiety or be poor test takers. Their exams may not correctly reflect their academic abilities in the classroom. Another con is that teachers are pressured to teach to the test. It allows for less creativity in the classroom.