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Progress or Procrastination? | AllThingsPLC - 3 views

www.allthingsplc.info/wordpress plc commonassessments
shared by Matt Townsley on 28 Sep 11 - No Cached
  • There is a law in organizational theory called Parkinson’s law which says that work will expand to fill the amount of time we are willing to devote to it.
    • Julie Taylor
      Julie Taylor on 06 Oct 11
       
      Sometimes we work better under pressure and get more done in a shorter amount of time if we know where we are going.
  • Which of my students is still struggling with this essential skill? Which of my students has mastered the essential skill? What is an area in which my students excelled, what strategies led to their success, and how might I share those strategies with my colleagues, and conversely what is an area of weakness where I might seek help from my colleagues? Is there an area where students struggled regardless of the teacher to whom they were assigned and if so, what steps can our team take to address our own professional learning regarding teaching that skill?
  • Teams should create their own assessments rather than using textbooks or commercial assessments and should use performance-based assessments when the skill or concepts requires such an assessment.
  • Matt Townsley on 28 Sep 11
     
    challenging thoughts by Rick DuFour on implementing the PLC philosophy.
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Educational Leadership:Informative Assessment:The Best Value in Formative Assessment - 3 views

www.ascd.org/...e_in_Formative_Assessment.aspx formative assessment
shared by Russell A on 27 Jul 09 - Cached
  • Even though assessments will continue to be labeled formative or summative, how the results are used is what determines whether the assessment is formative or summative.
  • but some, by design, are better suited to summative use and others to formative use.
  • Although such assessments are sometimes intended for formative use—that is, to guide further instruction for groups or individual students—teachers' and administrators' lack of understanding of how to use the results can derail this intention
  • ...6 more annotations...
  • however, teachers must plan and allow time for students to learn the knowledge and skills they missed on the summative assessment and to retake the assessment
  • When we try to teacher-proof the assessment process by providing a steady diet of ready-made external tests, we lose these advantages. Such tests cannot substitute for the day-to-day level of formative assessment that only assessment-literate teachers are able to conduct.
    • Russell A
      Russell A on 10 Apr 10
       
      music instructors are said to do formative assessments every 5-10 seconds. I haven't figured out whether that's good or bad.
  • Where am I going? Give students a list of the learning targets they are responsible for mastering, written in student-friendly language. Show students anonymous strong and weak examples of the kind of product or performance they are expected to create and have them use a scoring guide to determine which one is better and why. Where am I now? Administer a nongraded quiz part-way through the learning, to help both teacher and students understand who needs to work on what. Highlight phrases on a scoring guide reflecting specific strengths and areas for improvement and staple it to student work. Have students identify their own strengths and areas for improvement using a scoring guide. Have students keep a list of learning targets for the course and periodically check off the ones they have mastered. How can I close the gap? Give students feedback and have them use it to set goals. Have students graph or describe their progress on specific learning targets. Ask students to comment on their progress: What changes have they noticed? What is easy that used to be hard? What insights into themselves as learners have they discovered? When students use feedback from the teacher to learn how to self-assess and set goals, they increase ownership of their own success. In this type of assessment environment, teachers and students collaborate in an ongoing process using assessment information to improve rather than judge learning. It all hinges on the assessment's ability to provide timely, understandable, and descriptive feedback to teachers and students.
    • Teresa Bellinghausen
      Teresa Bellinghausen on 11 Apr 10
       
      One of the most important features of formative assessment is that teachers and students are both actively involved in the assessment process. Students are not just passive recipients of grades, but must set learning goals and reflect on their own learning, making adjustments in strategies when needed. My guess is that in most classrooms, especially at the high school level, this will be a radical departure from the norm.
  • When teachers assess student learning for purely formative purposes, there is no final mark on the paper and no summative grade in the grade book.
  • What is formative assessment, then? First, it's not a product.
  • Assessment for learning can take many different forms in the classroom.
  • Matt Townsley on 27 Jul 09
     
    great article on what 'formative assessment' is and is not.
  • ...2 more comments...
  • Russell A on 10 Apr 10
     
    great article on what 'formative assessment' is and is not.
  • Michele Arman on 10 Apr 10
     
    I feel that modern language teachers do many assessments during each class. This year, we tracked all the kinds of assessments that we do. I have already ended up with a huge notebook full of the different types of assessment that is used in my classroom. My question is if we should have that many or should we concentrate on ones that give us the best results on depicting a student's progress.
  • Bridgette Wagoner on 12 Apr 10
     
    I always think back to what Doug Reeves says about the difference between formative and summative assessments. He says formative assessment is like exploratory surgery; summative assessment is like an autopsy.
  • Renee Harmon on 19 Apr 10
     
    Great description Bridgette. I love this and will use it with my college students.
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Iowa education Twitter hashtags | Iowa TransformED - 3 views

iowatransformed.com/...owa-education-twitter-hashtags twitter
shared by Matt Townsley on 30 Aug 11 - No Cached
  • Matt Townsley on 30 Aug 11
     
    follow the Iowa education conversation on Twitter
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The Changing Face of Education in Iowa: Mt. Washington is 6288 feet tall - 3 views

eabbey.blogspot.com/...hington-is-6288-feet-tall.html ICC
shared by Matt Townsley on 13 Nov 09 - Cached
  • When we discuss the Iowa Core, this is an example of what we need to do. Get rid of the rest of that stuff. Determine what is important. And then have a deeper lesson, leading to deeper conceptual and procedural knowledge, with authentic and formative assessment. Which will lead to permanent learning.
    • Matt Townsley
      Matt Townsley on 13 Nov 09
       
      quadrant D learning...
  • Matt Townsley on 13 Nov 09
     
    Evan points out a need to examine how we will look at the ICC, through the lens of his daughter's SS class.
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Iowa Core - Iowa Department of Education - 2 views

www.iowa.gov/...index.php icc
shared by Matt Townsley on 03 Mar 11 - Cached
  • Matt Townsley on 03 Mar 11
     
    documents to support Iowa Core planning from the DE
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A new way to grade: Standards replace letters in Waukee | The Des Moines Register | Des... - 2 views

www.desmoinesregister.com/...andards-replace-letters-Waukee sbar standards-based assessment
shared by Matt Townsley on 07 Feb 11 - No Cached
  • Students will receive statuses of "beginning," "developing," "secure" or "exceeds" in 10 to 12 objectives - or standards - per subject instead of traditional letter grades.
  • "It's a very emotional topic," Reeves said. "A big thing is it's not standards versus grades. It's, 'Are we giving parents and students better information to improve their performance?' "
  • It's critical that before you move students on in their learning, you actually know what it is that they have control of and at what level," he said. "This method does that."
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  • Students can progress from one group to the next, and have the ability throughout the year to retake the assessments to prove proficiency.
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Where Iowa Education Chief Jason Glass is Wrong About Race to the Top and Iow... - 2 views

caffeinatedthoughts.com/...e-top-and-iowa-core-curriculum jasonglass rtt
shared by Matt Townsley on 30 Jan 11 - No Cached
  • 2.  The Iowa Core Curriculum doesn’t just set standards. Director Glass said, “On your point regarding the Iowa Core, I think it’s the state’s responsibility to set the bar for schools to achieve and then allow districts to determine how they get there.”  The problem with this is that the Iowa Core does tell districts how to get there.  Not only that, but the curriculum is problematic how it presents certain topics and what it leaves out – it is rife with bias and indoctrination. Not only that there was hardly any opportunity for educators and citizens to weigh in on its content and direction.  There is a white paper written on the subject and I would encourage Director Glass to read it.  I understand that he is new to his position, but I think he has an understanding of the Iowa Core that isn’t accurate.
    • Matt Townsley
      Matt Townsley on 30 Jan 11
       
      Glass reiterates his thoughts on Iowa Core. 
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Iowa Core Curriculum & 21st Century Skills - 2 views

www.bandmasters.org/index.php icc
shared by Matt Townsley on 21 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Matt Townsley on 21 Mar 11
     
    music educators make connections with 21st century skills. 
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Iowa Core Implementation Plan Summary - Iowa Department of Education - 2 views

www.edinfo.state.ia.us/...summary_staticweb_9207wrap.asp icc
shared by Matt Townsley on 21 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Matt Townsley on 21 Mar 11
     
    search for Iowa Core implementation plans by district 
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EBSCOhost: The Common Core Standards: Opportunities for Teacher-librarians to Move to ... - 2 views

web.ebscohost.com/...detail
shared by Kathy Kaldenberg on 16 Feb 11 - No Cached
  • Kathy Kaldenberg on 16 Feb 11
     
    Available via EbscoHost Iowa AEA Online. ID/password available from your school library.
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Diigolet | Diigo - 2 views

www.diigo.com/diigolet
shared by Kimberly Fix Schmidt on 29 Aug 11 - Cached
    • Kimberly Fix Schmidt
      Kimberly Fix Schmidt on 29 Aug 11
       
      I am not sure I could ever be a paperless teacher.
  • Brenda Schnell on 30 Aug 11
     
    I know that I did not see the sticky note icon on the toolbar. It is hard to imagine being completely paperless. Especially, when the computers still have problems freezing, breaking down, and etc. The paper copies or backups save alot of time after the computer is back up.
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Iowa Joins 49 States in Common Core Standards Initiative - Iowa Department of Education - 2 views

www.iowa.gov/...index.php
shared by Matt Townsley on 07 Jul 09 - Cached
  • "Iowa is fortunate to have not only state core content standards, but also the Iowa Core Curriculum, which provides rigorous expectations for all students and gives teachers the tools to change teaching and learning in this state," Jeffrey said. "With our recently passed Iowa Core Curriculum, Iowa can easily incorporate national standards because the Core Curriculum provides more explicit guidance to reach high expectations."
    • Matt Townsley
      Matt Townsley on 13 Jul 09
       
      I find this whole discussion of 'common core standards' to be pretty intriguing. Not too long ago, Iowa was the only (?) state that did not have statewide standards - each district was charged was creating its own. Now we're on board with joining a coalition to create national standards. Things change quickly!
    • Gina Martin
      Gina Martin on 07 Apr 10
       
      They need to be adapted to special education students that are severe and profound....we have to adapt our curriculum to meet these standards, but it would be nice if all schools in Iowa are using the same adaptations.
    • Kim Renning
      Kim Renning on 07 Apr 10
       
      I find it interesting as well...We (Iowa) should be well on the way with the Iowa Core Curriculum.
  • The goal is to have a common core of state standards that states can voluntarily adopt. States may choose to include additional standards beyond the common core as long as the common core represents at least 85 percent of the state's standards in English language arts and mathematics. The second phase of this initiative is to ultimately develop common assessments aligned to the core standards developed through the process.
    • Matt Townsley
      Matt Townsley on 13 Jul 09
       
      moving towards national assessments?! I wonder what companies like Pearson think of this idea. Not that it really matters, but I could see some special interest groups becoming...'interested' in getting these contracts. Plan on keeping an eye on how all of this progresses.
  • Corey St. John on 07 Jul 09
     
    I thought this was interesting...
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The Iowa Core Curriculum. Perfect? No. Enhanced Rigor? Yes. | edventuresome - 2 views

edventureso.me/re-rigorous-that-what-weve-had icc johnnash
shared by Matt Townsley on 20 Apr 10 - Cached
  • Matt Townsley on 20 Apr 10
     
    John Nash's thoughts on Iowa Core
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Iowa Core resources used at SAI new administrators institute - 1 views

www.aea11.k12.ia.us/SAI.html icc
shared by Matt Townsley on 18 Mar 11 - No Cached
  • Matt Townsley on 18 Mar 11
     
    information shared with new administrators during summer 2009
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Iowa Core Curriculum - Home - 1 views

www.corecurriculum.iowa.gov/Home.aspx curriculum iowa ICC
shared by Bradley Niebling on 31 May 09 - Cached
  • academic expectations of the Iowa Core Curriculum and Iowa’s core content standards — or “what” students should know. It also provides performance standards — or “how well” students should perform in certain areas.
    • Russ Goerend
      Russ Goerend on 31 May 09
       
      Are these standards just "good to know" or will schools be asked to merge their current standards with those of the ICC?
    • Matt Townsley
      Matt Townsley on 31 May 09
       
      From what I've learned...schools will be asked to document how they are meeting each standard. Sort of like quasi-state standards, if you will. Not sure if it is to *replace* local standards though. This is where I'm unsure.
    • Evan Abbey
      Evan Abbey on 01 Jun 09
       
      Districts will need to do an alignment of their curriculum with the core. They must cover everything in the core. My understanding is the core is supposed to be a core, and you should have time to add more than the core for the "local control" component. How they will be assessed is anyone's guess at this time.
    • Bradley Niebling
      Bradley Niebling on 09 Feb 10
       
      The Iowa Core Content Standards are Iowa's state standards. This was put into code in Senate File 588 from the 2007 legislative session. So, every district is responsible for implementing all of the Iowa Core Content Standards. As for how this relates to the Iowa Core Curriculum, the statements I've heard coming out of the DOE are that by implementing the Iowa Core Curriculum, districts will be implementing the Iowa Core Content Standards, and going beyond them. Districts are not expected to do any merging or additional alignment work between these two documents. The idea is that if you implement the ICC, you won't have to engage in separate or additional work to implement the Iowa Core Content Standards.
  • Grade spans allow classroom teachers to reinforce and build upon previously mastered concepts and skills, and provide the most appropriate learning experiences for students to successfully progress through grade levels
    • Russ Goerend
      Russ Goerend on 31 May 09
       
      I like that "grade spans" pushes teachers in the span toward collaboration. I see that collaboration in the reinforecement and building aspects.
  • success in postsecondary education
    • Russ Goerend
      Russ Goerend on 31 May 09
       
      How would you define success in post-secondary education? Thinking back to the near-decade I spent in college, I would say it's a mix of interpersonal skills, finding and pursuing goals and passions, and realizing the importance multiple literacies.
    • Matt Townsley
      Matt Townsley on 31 May 09
       
      good description, Russ. The more I teach high school students, the more I think about what it means to "prepare them for postsecondary success." Does it mean lecturing for 60 minutes so that they're used to it when they take Bio 101? Does it mean assigning them 15 page essays in preparation for College Composition? Or does it mean preparing them with the essential content so that they have the appropriate pre-requisite knowledge their freshmen year of college? Or is it a combination of all of the above? I think if we can help them see the "life long learning" thing...AND somehow develop a relentless pursuit for excellence. I think it'd be cool if a student was so fixated on learning that he/she studied every single problem/concept/idea (wouldn't leave me or the computer or whatever other resource alone) until he/she was confident that it was understood. TOTALLY idealistic, but cultivating this type of passion towards learning seems to be a sure-fire ingredient for success at the post-secondary level.
  • ...3 more annotations...
    • Darin Johnson
      Darin Johnson on 17 Jun 09
       
      Must a meaningful curriculum prepare all students for success in postsecondary education? I hope more of the public buys into the idea of a Core Curriculum to address the increasingly competitive nature of a global economy. We are sending far too-many students to college who lack the necessary skills. values, and attitudes to shape our world.
  • meaningful curriculum
  • Come back often to experience review new content and learn about Iowa’s world-class education.
    • Darin Johnson
      Darin Johnson on 17 Jun 09
       
      This poorly constructed sentence needs revision. I'm not sure about the author's intent, but I would suggest something more like this: Come back often to experience new content and to learn about Iowa's world-class education. Moving from comments about style to comments about content, will this website actually help people realize we offer a "world-class education" in our state? Will it be updated frequently so that people will find new content?
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Iowa Core Curriculum facing uncertain future - 1 views

wcfcourier.com/...ab-11e0-8042-001cc4c03286.html icc iowa assessment curriculum 21st Century core
shared by Michelle Hill on 29 Jun 11 - No Cached
  • Michelle Hill on 29 Jun 11
     
    Once a month a small group of Irving Elementary School teachers gather to talk shop. It isn't just water cooler conversation about who's causing problems in class. They are comparing literacy strategies and best teaching practices. They bring samples of teaching resources and technology.
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