This is a much-needed resource for teachers who want their elementary and middle school students to be confident test takers, but who also want to avoid 'teaching to the test' all year. Denstaedt, Kelly, and Kryza provide a practical, 3-week unit of test-taking skills that will help teachers prepare students for tests using methods that are engaging and meaningful to students in Grades 3u8. Their fun approach teaches a set of effective metacognitive skills that transfer out of the classroom into students' lives and allows teachers to raise the appeal of test-taking as well as limit its domination of classroom time. This book is full of reproducible resources such as planning guides, models and examples of self-talk and think-alouds, annotated state exams, and more. The strategies help students excel at different types of test formats, including:Reading and analyzing textsMultiple choice questionsTrue-or-false questionsConstructed response writingWriting to a promptThe authors' analysis of state tests from around the country, which extrapolates the thinking and responding tasks that learners are expected to accomplish, will be invaluable to educators at all levels.
"This book uses a practical approach to early intervention for struggling learners, while keeping in mind the cultural and linguistic considerations for English language learners. Applying the RTI strategies in this book takes the guesswork out of educating students and reduces referrals to special education due to lack of instruction." -Robert Raymond, Senior School Improvement Instruction Specialist Office of Special Education Initiatives, New York City Department of Education Assess students accurately to make informed instructional and eligibility decisions! Effective and ongoing assessment processes are crucial for making important decisions about the education of at-risk and struggling students. This practical book presents K-12 educators with a comprehensive overview of the three primary types of assessment within multitiered Response to Intervention (RTI) models: universal screening, progress monitoring, and diagnostic assessment for special education. This resource establishes the foundation for assessment in RTI and provides practical suggestions for implementing universal screening and progress monitoring to make informed instructional decisions. The author identifies the role of RTI in determining student eligibility for special education services and discusses effective assessment decision-making processes, including roles and responsibilities of different team members. This book also: Provides detailed coverage of specific assessment methods and practices, including Curriculum-Based Measurement Addresses important topics related to RTI, including fidelity of implementation Presents RTI assessment needs of culturally and linguistically diverse learners Includes tables, figures, and reproducible forms and PowerPoint slides to facilitate training and implementation RTI Assessment Essentials for Struggling Learners is a valuable guide for members of RTI teams looking to expand their expertise in meeting the needs of all students.
"This book uses a practical approach to early intervention for struggling learners, while keeping in mind the cultural and linguistic considerations for English language learners. Applying the RTI strategies in this book takes the guesswork out of educating students and reduces referrals to special education due to lack of instruction." -Robert Raymond, Senior School Improvement Instruction Specialist Office of Special Education Initiatives, New York City Department of Education Assess students accurately to make informed instructional and eligibility decisions! Effective and ongoing assessment processes are crucial for making important decisions about the education of at-risk and struggling students. This practical book presents K-12 educators with a comprehensive overview of the three primary types of assessment within multitiered Response to Intervention (RTI) models: universal screening, progress monitoring, and diagnostic assessment for special education. This resource establishes the foundation for assessment in RTI and provides practical suggestions for implementing universal screening and progress monitoring to make informed instructional decisions. The author identifies the role of RTI in determining student eligibility for special education services and discusses effective assessment decision-making processes, including roles and responsibilities of different team members. This book also: Provides detailed coverage of specific assessment methods and practices, including Curriculum-Based Measurement Addresses important topics related to RTI, including fidelity of implementation Presents RTI assessment needs of culturally and linguistically diverse learners Includes tables, figures, and reproducible forms and PowerPoint slides to facilitate training and implementation RTI Assessment Essentials for Struggling Learners is a valuable guide for members of RTI teams looking to expand their expertise in meeting the needs of all students.
"Contains valuable and timely information on how to develop appropriate, authentic, and worthwhile assessments." -Deborah S. Yost, Professor of Education La Salle University Improve student achievement on daily assignments, unit assessments, and standardized tests! Customizing instructional approaches to a specific educational context and learners' needs is a common challenge for educators. Geared for Grades 6-12, this resource defines performance-based assessments (PBAs) and illustrates how using PBAs can help teachers target specific academic goals for students and foster positive, productive, and practical learning experiences. Using easy-to-understand terms, the book leads educators through an assessment process that is fully integrated with the daily curriculum and that can result in significantly improved student performance. The author provides a template for recording assessment data, demonstrates how to create rubrics for teacher/student use, and offers standards-based examples featuring classroom teachers' insights. Readers will discover how to implement: Preassessments to collect baseline data Formative assessments that yield progress-monitoring data Summative assessments for gathering data that is easy to use Complete with checklists, frequently asked questions, graphic organizers, activities, and additional resources, Developing Performance-Based Assessments, Grades 6-12 is an ideal tool for engaging students in the learning process.
Offers a developmentally informed framework for assessing 3 to 6 year-olds in accordance with best practices and IDEA guidelines. This work takes the reader through selecting appropriate measures, integrating data from a variety of sources, and using the results to plan and evaluate effective interventions and learning experiences.
"In an era where buzzwords like 'assessment' and 'accountability' are used every day in our school systems, a book like this is long overdue. The author clearly explains important terminology while providing easy-to-understand ways to engage in quality assessment in any elementary classroom." -Jennifer Sinsel, Elementary Gifted Teacher Bostic Traditional Magnet School, Andover, KS Use PBAs to design learning experiences that increase student engagement and achievement! There is nothing more rewarding than the moment when a student "gets it." Helping educators reach that goal, Nancy P. Gallavan demonstrates how performance-based assessments (PBAs) can help create stimulating teaching and learning environments in elementary classrooms. This easy-to-understand guide explains how to construct assessments that effectively measure learner performance and allow educators to align curriculum and instruction with students' needs. With PBAs, teachers can engage students in the learning process, connect the learning to students' individual lives, and monitor learning outcomes. The author provides: Detailed and clear examples of performance-based assessments Guidelines for creating and using rubrics and assessment templates Checklists, frequently asked questions, graphic organizers, and activities to reinforce the content in each chapter Numerous appendices, including standards for educational assessment, the four domains of learning, and a host of helpful Web sites, readings, and references Developing Performance-Based Assessments, Grades K-5 is a valuable asset for facilitating learning experiences with rewarding outcomes.
"An excellent tool to help teachers address issues related to testing so that those factors do not hinder student success. With an easy format and clear, concise instructions, the book tells not only how but why." -Jolene Dockstader, Middle School English Teacher Jerome School District #261, ID Prepare students to do their best on tests! Today's educational climate demands a multitude of high-stakes, standardized tests not only to assess student achievement, but also to promote school and teacher accountability. Carolyn Chapman and Rita King help educators meet the challenge with this second edition of Test Success in the Brain-Compatible Classroom. This research-based resource is packed with practical tips and tools needed to change attitudes about testing and improve test readiness and performance. Educators will find a wealth of useful ideas and suggestions for preparing students for tests, creating positive test environments, and helping students deal with test anxiety. The authors bridge the gap between formal test formats and the way each student learns, retains, and transfers information to tests. These techniques can be implemented in any subject across all grade levels. This second edition features strategies, activities, and tips to: Prepare students mentally, physically, and emotionally as productive test-takers Create an optimal testing environment Help students attack passages and use problem solving for test success Interpret test data for strategic, customized planning Put these easy-to-implement techniques to work in your classroom throughout the year and transform each test experience into a celebration of achievement and learning.
"An excellent tool to help teachers address issues related to testing so that those factors do not hinder student success. With an easy format and clear, concise instructions, the book tells not only how but why." -Jolene Dockstader, Middle School English Teacher Jerome School District #261, ID Prepare students to do their best on tests! Today's educational climate demands a multitude of high-stakes, standardized tests not only to assess student achievement, but also to promote school and teacher accountability. Carolyn Chapman and Rita King help educators meet the challenge with this second edition of Test Success in the Brain-Compatible Classroom. This research-based resource is packed with practical tips and tools needed to change attitudes about testing and improve test readiness and performance. Educators will find a wealth of useful ideas and suggestions for preparing students for tests, creating positive test environments, and helping students deal with test anxiety. The authors bridge the gap between formal test formats and the way each student learns, retains, and transfers information to tests. These techniques can be implemented in any subject across all grade levels. This second edition features strategies, activities, and tips to: Prepare students mentally, physically, and emotionally as productive test-takers Create an optimal testing environment Help students attack passages and use problem solving for test success Interpret test data for strategic, customized planning Put these easy-to-implement techniques to work in your classroom throughout the year and transform each test experience into a celebration of achievement and learning.
John F. Jennings discusses the long-running debate on state school standards, the political dimension an d the intervention of business and government, as they conti nue to encourage the setting of higher academic standards. '
