Using Classroom and Large-Scale Assessment Data
- Online and asynchronous
- This course will require between 7-10 hours of work per week
- Workload Rating: Heavy
Required Textbook
Klinger, D. A., McDivitt, P. R., Howard, B. B., Munoz, M. A., Rogers, W. T., & Wylie, E. C. (2015). The classroom assessment standards for PreK-12 teachers. Kindle Direct Press.
This book is available to purchase from:
- amazon.ca (Kindle)
Course Description
The increasing emphasis on school accountability and improvement places demands on teachers and administrators to be able to interpret the meaning of assessment results. These data often form the foundation for setting priorities and setting targets. Given the importance of these activities, it is critical that data users be able to identify the strengths and limitations of these data in supporting decisionmaking. This course introduces professionals to the foundational concepts that underlie the effective use of assessment data, whether these data arise from the classroom or from external testing agencies.
Learning Outcomes
The primary learning outcomes for GDE/PME 826 are to:
- Review the history and rationale behind our efforts to better use assessment and test data to inform our policies and practices
- Explore the ways in which assessments and tests are developed and used
- Explore the methods used to obtain quality assessment data that can be effectively used to address assessment purposes
- Explore how data generated within the classroom (or professional context) can be used to effectively inform and monitor our efforts to support learning and improvement
- Explore uses (and misuses) of large-scale assessment data across diverse professional contexts
- Draw together learning from the rest of the course to examine current issues, dilemmas, and opportunities for educators and professionals who have responsibilities for leading efforts to improve the use of assessment data within their professional contexts
Assessments
Article and Video Critique Activity
Module 1 - 10%
Minor Task: Contrary Position
Module 1 - 10%
Discussion Board Posts (x6)
Module 2 - 20%
A Brief Proposal for Our Improvement Efforts
Module 3 - 5%
Major Task: Analysis and Critique of Our Current Improvement Initiative
Module 3 - 15%
Putting it all together! A Reflection
Module 4 - 10%
Stakeholder Communique
Consolidation Module - 15%
Class Participation
All Modules - 15%
How does this course support learners outside K-12 teaching contexts?
Classroom and large-scale assessment principles and practices can be applied across diverse educational and professional contexts. There is latitude in all course learning activities and assignments to explore and discuss assessment outside K-12 contexts (e.g., higher education, medicine, business, and government). Diverse professional perspectives about assessment are encouraged in discussions and enrich collective learning in the course.
Each student’s professional practice and goals are unique. We highly encourage students to reach out to their course instructors at the start of the term to discuss the relevance and application of course learning and assignments to their own learning goals and context of practice.