David,

I was struck by your last question in regards to my own work: Do we need
to pay more attention to formative assessment in the U.S.?

I would say- Yes.

With teachers that I've worked with- they always mention how the
standardized (summative) tests they are required to administer do not
really tell them what they need to be teaching.  Then we go another step
and talk about how formative assessments add to that picture of what
learners know and can do- thus giving them more information about what
to teach as well as helping to show progress.

Yet, some of the recurring themes many instructors seem to deal with-
especially in the U.S.- where many only work part-time are:
1) Having time (preferably paid) for: working with learners to assess
what they want to know and be able to do, understanding where they are
starting from, planning the lesson along with useful assessment(s), etc.
2) Not having much experience in developing a 'suitable' formative
assessment
3) Dealing with tensions for accountability (needing to show level gains
based on acceptable reporting measures for the federal government)

So does that mean education to understand the benefits and uses of
formative and summative assessments?  Professional development on
developing/creating assessments?  Educating legislators/funders about
issues with accountability and part-time staff?  All of these?

Aaron  

-----Original Message-----
From: specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:specialtopics-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of David Rosen
Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 8:16 AM
To: specialtopics at nifl.gov
Subject: [SpecialTopics 180] Formative Assessment in International
Education

Special Topics Discussion Subscribers,

We would like to hear from you.

What has been your experience with formative assessment?
Do you use formative assessment strategies in your classroom?
Have you done research -- qualitative or quantitative, including
classroom research -- on the effects of formative assessment? What did
you find?
Are you satisfied with using only summative (standardized per-post
NRS-required) assessment?
Do we need to pay more attention to formative assessment in the U.S.?

Our discussion ends soon so please post your answers or questions now.

Thanks.

David J. Rosen
Special Topics Discussion Moderator
djrosen at comcast.net



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