| 10. |
Student assessments will not be hanging
over you for months and months to come! Detailed information and
instructions will be circulated to all who are involved in
the Cornerstone student assessment work within the next week.
Our hope is that we can complete most of the student assessment
work within the first six weeks of the new year. The entire
process will be short and snappy - as well as informative. |
| 9. |
The same prompt will be used with the writing sample. This
will allow students who are already familiar with the topic
to develop it and expand on their thinking. Furthermore,
you will be able to get a very clear sense of each student's
progress and growth. |
| 8. |
A small
assortment of high quality children's literature
will be used in conjunction with administration of the MPIR. Several coaches reported that it often takes a great deal
of time to determine which reading level to use with each
student. Furthermore, coaches indicated that often the type
of passage being used with the MPIR [Major Point Interview
for Readers] did not encourage deep thinking skills or elicit
meaningful responses. Cornerstone will provide each pair
of coaches with a few books which may be read to students
or by students as a part of the MPIR assessment. |
| 7. |
Students who are not comfortable reading the MPIR
books on their own may take the MPIR listening assessment. We suggest
that most kindergarten and first grade students take the
listening version of the MPIR and the second and third grade
students take the reading version of the MPIR. However, if
an older student is not able to read the passages comfortably,
the teacher may read the story to the student. |
| 6. |
A single page scoring sheet has been added to the
MPIR scoring rubric. This page will clarify and simplify reporting.
Furthermore, only one page will have to be copied and sent
to Cornerstone. This will reduce the time spent on copying
and it will decrease the cost of postage. |
| 5. |
Each coach will be able to enter DRA data directly
into an online data management system. Coaches will be able to
add students, edit data, and monitor progress of students
on their own. This system provides instant feedback if there
are questions about the way the assessment was administered.
The DRA Online Data Management system can track students
over time and will allow coaches to generate several types
of reports about their students. |
| 4. |
Coaches will not have to copy the DRA Continuum
or the DRA Observation Guides. Again, this will save on copying
and postage. |
| 3. |
We are building an extensive base of internal expertise. Several Cornerstone coaches and Critical Friends have had
a great deal of experience with administering all three of
the assessment instruments. Furthermore, Bridgeport, New
Haven, Philadelphia, and Springfield are using the DRA system-wide.
We have many experts in our midst who will be able to answer
our questions and address our concerns! |
| 2. |
Student assessment provides a perfect opportunity
to understand the needs of children more clearly. Administering
the assessments and observing students in action allows
coaches and teachers
the chance to discuss what they see. Sharing the assessment
experience with teachers is another opportunity for professional
learning. For instance, it provides an organized session
during which to consider and discuss children's thinking
during reading. [Remember, "Knowing what you see and
not just seeing what you know?"] |
| 1. |
Results of
student assessment offer a great occasion for you to share
your successes with your school and your district. |
