#CatholicEdchat Archive
CatholicEdChat is a twitter chat. Topics focus on discussions around educational issues for Catholic Educators and topics beneficial to Catholic Schools. We look forward to continuing to connect Catholic Educators online to discuss education and teaching with faith in our schools. The chat takes place on Saturday mornings. Time 9am EST.
Saturday January 16, 2016
Good morning! My tweets for the next hour will be devoted to
Long time lister, first time facilitator. Good morning friends.
We welcome would will be moderating our topic on Classroom Assessment.
Good morning ! Can't believe I'm on time today. ;-) Really looking forward to our topic today.
Good morning from Nashville.
Morning - Glad to have you moderating
This is a topic I am passionate about.... I'll try to contain myself.
Good morning! Mary Gaeta K-8 librarian from Peabody, MA
Good morning Glad to talk assessment- something I've been thinking a lot about...
Sorry . Have to miss due to starting Doctoral Stats I this am
good luck today! You will
How exciting/nerve-racking! Best wishes!
Thaks Barb! Taking advantage of a "quiet" weekend to join in.
No need to contain yourself ... show your passion.
Morning from NJ- Bye week for basketball in the midst of a more importantly fun (and successful) b-ball season.
Today's topic is classroom assessment. First question is coming up in two minutes.
Just started that. I'm completely self taught in math. Had a panic moment first day of class.
Q1: What is you grading philosophy? What should your classroom grades communicate?
Good morning, . Great topic today. I'll be floating in and out while getting ready for the day.
Columbus people.... quit lurking and participate. I know you are there.
Good morning Slept a bit longer than expected but one cup of coffee down and almost ready for action!
A1 bc of hands on projects - grades are about the child working at their project until they get it working or time runs out
Good morning! Thanks for leading the chat and representing OH!
A1: grades should be a reflection of student learning/progress
A1: My classroom grades should show that my students are making progress in new material and maintaining old information.
A1 Grades should communicate current level of work / learning
A1 As a librarian, I teach skills. Students receive verbal/written feedback. Work to learn skill, not to earn letter grade.
A1: In <140: proficiency on objectives, not behavior
this is more along the lines of where I am! have to give "grades" on report card
A1: Grades should communicate learning. Not effort, not behavior, but what has been learned.
A1: Grades reflect S progress in the learning process. They are check-points & they are somewhat fluid as Ss gain mastery.
Curious.... how many are using some sort of standards-based reporting?
amen to that! Had a conversation about that at the last I attended.
Agreed!! Effort and behavior should be communicated to Ss and parents but not as part of grade
A1 Ideally, grades part of a larger feedback loop. More formative assessments, f2f convo & frequent to facilitate growth.
A1. tests 30% Quizzes 20%, Homework 20%, Projects 20% Participation based on rubric from class dojo- 10%
My school uses for PK, K, Then we just added 1-2 Language arts as skill based Wish I could in my lab
We don't use standards-based grading/reporting in the Diocese of Nashville.
my diocese does not but I try to as much as possible within the requirements of an A-F system
Exactly! https://t.co/EMTMkFXsP7
A1: Grades should communicate learning. Not effort, not behavior, but what has been learned.
YES! https://t.co/GxSgGds0j3
A1 Ideally, grades part of a larger feedback loop. More formative assessments, f2f convo & frequent to facilitate growth.
It's tough trying to live in two worlds of grading.
. Had a rubric system but all it did was replace the traditional A with a diff. mark- no shift in assessment/grading
Tough one for some parents to accept
We use it quite a bit in grades PK-2….not so much after that.
Have a pilot in Physics.Facinating reflection/feedback.Truer sense of growth but tension w/ grade focused culture
but worthwhile, a battle worth fighting
Personally, (and I was guilty of this until I majored in teaching) is I cared only about grade, not the learning.
Agreed- especially since many experienced this as students themselves
Without changing philosophy, changing the symbols is worthless.
As do most students because they do not understand the difference.
Still, the rubric structure helps Ss, Ps understand the assessment better. Gives better context.
. SO true! All it has done is turned T off from SB grades- no real PD was done to progress T thinking on it
A1: grades communicate Ss performance, we use standards based grades k-2;
Grades, not learning, is what we have taught children to value. We have to change that.
It is a step in the right direction.
AMEN!! Even harder is to shift the parents.
Amen! That has been a goal for the last several yrs. Tough ship to turn. https://t.co/GF801RlxRc
Grades, not learning, is what we have taught children to value. We have to change that.
Q2: How does your grading policy support your philosophy?
Grades are what parents value too (guilty!), so that also needs to change.
Yes for individual assignments, but this system just confused everyone. We've gone back to letter grades
A2: Redos are very important for my 3rd graders to know they understand the concept before moving on.
Its why I try to give projects- next yr id like to increase % for projects- which show (imo) more learning
Good morning and sorry I'm late
So bummed that I have to be in and out for this chat! It's one of my favorite topics and was my research topic at ND
A2 Want kids to take risks on projects, make mistakes, and keep moving forward - Hard for traditional grades to measure
Grades k-8 can check off standards when in JupiterEd grade book, able to track standards and monitor focus
I'm not a fan of the shift back. I wish more PD was done/ learning with parents as well to clarify it
Exactly. My goal- and I made the mistake of giving 100 tests in a day- is to get them back next day-
Should be interesting debate!
Change has to start with Ts and Ss. Then parents.
A2 Verbal/written feedback offers students suggestions to re-do work to improve their skills.
A2: Mostly or reflective assignments (blogs) and Ss have chance to re-do to show mastery.
A2: standards based report cards PreK-2. philosophical problem with the category of exceeds expectations but an improvement
Teach catechism- I do give assessments- but cant do official grade- ss ask about only #.
This is where Google Classroom has helped me. Easy to organize and repeatedly give feedback as needed!
seeing in person is so motivating to change. Also the on Wednesdays is great
A2: It's never too late to learn; grades are not set in stone; always keep trying; learning is the goal, not the A
Wouldn't you say Teachers and Parents? I think students react partly bc of desire to pls their fam
Boy does this get to some teachers!!
Agree...Appreciate Ts who have Ss reflect on grade received. Grade is then not the end point of the conversation
This just came up in last Wednesday. The question was is exceeds just another sorting tool?
. It is amazing how challenging this idea is for so many Ts. We are in the business of helping Ss learn!
Reflection easy piece to leave out Pushing it this year. Has been powerful still needs improvement
Yes! The time investment is the tough sell, esp. in HS. Makes me sad for our Ss.
family member teachers in NJ where ts fill out grades but also min of 1 paragraph explaining grade
I'll keep that in mind when completing 2nd quarter report cards on Monday!
So important- and for many Ss, helps them clarify why the work reflects a certain level of mastery
A2: redo is learning with questioning from Ts; see Ss get it!
I agree about Google Classroom. It allows them to get continuous feedback & the opportunity to revise & improve.
If grades are communication, is exceeds appropriate?
Agreed. Started student ePortfolios this year for exactly that reason.
Love Google Classroom- plus it can show student progress/action in group work, especially.
used to be much harder go back and forth with paper nightmare to track Now all in one place easy to get my work
Are you required to collect a certain amount of grades a week? 2, 3, 5?
A2 Reflecting thru lens w/ backwards design on purpose/process of grading. In dialogue we ID contextual best values
our school requires minimum of 7 per quarter but I don't have to bc project based
is now trending in USA, ranking 40
I really love the revision history feature in Google to help see growth in work, too.
Q3: What are some factors that should (or should not) be included in a grade?
is trending on Twitter in
no, thank goodness!! That really limits/deters project-based learning. Are you?
One of my favs to show teachers! Lots of power there. Put draftback add on too!
Prof. walked into class on Mon. Ss #1 worry was grades. Said exactly- learning isnt comp
That tension... Grade as end point or Grade as signpost on journey. Hard to fight dominate culture
strongly encouraged to have more grades than less, no set #. Plus different types of assessments, not just test
Another question with this could be, are you required to give a set amount of homework?
A3: Should reflect: process of learning. That's why I love rubrics. You can include so many skill sets beyond the letter.
A3: Grades should not reflect behavior, such as late work, or effort. Those can be different problems to solve.
(What do HS's look for in admissions process?)
UGH!!! So tired of pointless homework given with no thought /end rant
I gave a lot of HW because my class is primarily based on discussion- do the reading + 1/2 Qs- 1 MC, 1 essay- 2 or 3x a wk.
A3 Zero for missing assignment should not be included in grade. Grades should not be punitive.
A3: Reporting effort & behavior (both good & bad) should be reported—but with a separate mark.
This is probably the best part of a rubric and can really show Ps just how their S is working in class
As a parent, it kills me that a teacher is telling me how to spend time with my kids.
And logical/thoughtful resp could b not to do it!
This is our question, esp. since the HS in our dio. are all on a diff. page
my students work hard all day!
A3 Personal pet peeve... Creativity should never be graded. Feel strongly - keep judgement of person out of feedback loop.
If it has a legit purpose & can actually help learning, that is one thing. Just because is stupid!
Good morning all. Not feeling the best so late getting up
HW is a hot topic for me w/our Ts for sure!
Because of grades or because they want to learn?
boy could that be a fun battle!
Did not see my son after school on Thurs. Homework ALL night from dismissal to bed. Ugh
Yes! Speaking as someone who hasn't mastered drawing a straight line with a ruler :)
Interesting to see who contributes what exactly :)
I'm all for good homework. It's just that I see so little of it.
need to shift all classrooms so we can all answer that with want to learn!
"Fun" isn't the word I would use. ;-)
Also dont they create discussion- I loved when ss asked why they earned grade- how it could improve ABILITIES.
Could not agree with you more Rick!
student told me didn't want to come to school till remembered got to work on project in my class1/2
I want kids to feel like that about all classes not just mine! 2/2
Was any of it worthwhile stuff to work on?
good morning, I'm late & lurking, great insights on an important topic
Love being able to show that to them!
Oh there's a topic! Entrance exam,transcripts,rec lttrs,prsnl essay on Mission&Identity
and reverse - I know Ss don't want to miss because they don't want to have all the paperwork to make up
Good morning really late today.
once learning is mastered the curriculum should progress with checks to ensure lower level learning still achieved
Side note: I'm happy I scheduled all the Qs. I can hardly keep up now.
sorry snark and sarcasm don't play well on Twitter
I tell them upfront that way nobody feels tricked- usually got early shared success.
I show them what I can see too. Make sure no one is "surprised"
Q4: What resources do you recommend to learn about classroom assessment?
Came across clear to me, Marcie :-)
In theory, Yes. Sadly, not from all. Don't get me started!
In theory, Yes. Sadly, not from all. Don't get me started!
me too! Great dialogue with great questions and sharing today!
LOL! Bet it does when you work with ;)
The work of Dylan Wiliam and Paul Black is seminal with regard to Assessment for Learning. https://t.co/W75SfNSPXy
Alternatives to graded assignments include peer and self-assessment, continuous oral feedback, and written comments. https://t.co/1UI2qPeNQj
A4: I'm looking for rec. on formative assessment/feedback- any good titles?
I do the same with my HSer and my 7th grader. Their job. Mine is hold accountable
I had that convo yesterday with our HOS! Big question.
Was interesting the time with project on google v. those w/o project on google had higher ss involvement
A4 - Love Wiggins & McTighe w/ backwards design. Using for full crriclm review. ID Learning objectives b/f assignment design
Check out Grading Smarter, Not Harder.
I have to get my daughter to school to build sets for upcoming musical. Will read rest of chat later. Thanks, everyone!
we are required to send homework, I send the least I can get away with
A4: Anything by Rick Wormeli or Fisher & Frey!
Call me sometime, Monika! Happy to dialogue. It's an adventure :-) Or better yet, come visit!
Good for you. Hard when it is required!
A fundamental shift in mindset is needed to come to terms with the fact that formative assessment should rarely be graded!
am I in a different situation because I teach 3rd grade? Is it looked at differently for HS?
I wonder if innovation happening in elem ever "trickled up" to higher ed.
Couldn't agree more! HS's are preparing Ss for an outdated system.
I am dying for education to make a huge shift. Stop teaching way we were taught. Even college prep needs to look different
Gone over w/ class- most of time- graded officially, rarely- totally agree on that. can still get data w/o a #
One does develop the skill in my workplace...those SJs don't play around either...
I know our HS look heavily at entrance exam and report card grades.
Why go to standards if it hurts your Ss chance of getting into HS?
we have teachers who take recess away when hw is not done :( or make kids stay after school, with head down, not doing hw
As a Professor Spouse, I can say some cases yes, some no. Abt 10 yrs behind
probab not local HS likes what saw my lab and is bringing it in
grades are easier to see- Interviews harder to do unfortunately for HS/ Uni.
Talk of students “doing a formative” or of "formative assessments not counting" show a lack of understanding of assessment.
Are you kidding?!?! This isn't the Dark Ages!
Struggling with teaching in a very traditional environment!
maybe it needs to be one of our topics :)
SO are elem schools for that matter!
It depends what you think is best for the students.
Once a piece of work is the student, and often the parent, will take little heed of formative comments!
if/when I start my own school, taking away recess will NOT be an option!
our State says all kids need recess yes!
Agree- this is argument used against SBG
I hear that a lot from elementary, not from HS.
Q5: Should students be permitted to redo assignments?
Oh ... but it is in some places!
This (assessment) should be one of our GHO topics.
not even there to defend myself
I never kept kids in at recess! I need a break too!
it's interesting as we interview our boarding students but not our day students.
Did you see they big research report saying kids need to move to learn? Any teacher could tell you that.
I've been to a good amt of PD- its becoming a hot debate...but textbook-wise, I agree w/ you.
Yes! Ss need to see Ps model the value of examining narratives with the same value at the numbers
Formative assessment celebrates student success and offers strategies for improvement to develop greater depth of knowledge.
I need the list so I don't go there to work!
You didn't do anything (this time ;) ) Jen just recognized snark and sarcasm via Twitter
I think we should interview our day Ss too and not see it as an automatic entrance
A5: Absolutely! They should be REQUIRED to! And teachers should be required to reteach if a % of Ss do poorly!
Did it once- for ten minutes- regretted rest of day- student checked out mentally bc of it-
Yes! May be time for some tough decisions.
agree can't at our school
so does our province but ... I am able to retire this year, don't feel ready but this crap makes me consider it
A5 Yes. We all learn from our mistakes.
I am going to tell our Ed Tech director about this!
. I can volunteer to run this one if folks are interested. https://t.co/4z6CgzgtKJ
maybe it needs to be one of our topics :)
A5: Yes. How often do we give a presentation w/out feedback from others first? Ss deserve real world experiences.
A5 - if we truly came that they learn and not just about a grade we should do redos
A5: YES!!! Don't we want them to learn the content & learn from their mistakes & learn to persevere?!! (Sorry, soapbox:)
would love it! Give me a date!
assessment should only conducted at end of unit of study. If parents don't agree then schools must educate them!
happy to say when I was principal, taking recess was never an option. Wish I had more influence now.
We have Office Hour during our odd block days-perfect
A5: if it's important enough to assign then Yes and Yes and Yes, always
me too, & surprisingly some of the most traditional are MUCH YOUNGER
We have spent so much time cocooning students it is ridiculous! Afraid of the lawsuits
A4 Jim Knight High Impact Instructn on formative assmnt. Then use Kahoot, Zaption, GForms, to apply.
I love her... she's amazing..
Other than school, is there any place where you are graded (and it counts) while you are in the process of learning?
Found out some local public schools give elementary students 35 min for lunch AND recess, Ugh!
I have witnessed that at times too. Age doesn't always rule on tech ability or teaching style
I keep stress balls in room, especially for tests- amazing how students get so nervous even when its 10 pts.
Heck I get nervous. Taking my Google Educator 2 test had me nervous. We forget what that is like for them.
tests should be in nature. Teachers must modify instruction based upon the performances of students.
I just read an article about the kids getting 2-3 15 min breaks on top of lunch. Heard it worked wonders.
If I interview somewhere I have lots of Qs for them!!!
My grandfather was 71 when he got highest Uni. teaching award. Age isnt everything.
lots of movement in my classroom!
Time to head out - Ss basketball game to watch :) Thanks ! Great topic!!
Time to head out - Ss basketball game to watch :) Thanks ! Great topic!!
Back to resources... too. Ensure all are assessed in method illustrate their best gifts. Grades are not a gotcha game.
I see people leaving bc of frustration with the system!
I've been an umpire 10 years- I'm finally going for my HS Varsity cert- test is 3 mths away and im nervous.
Excited for this book to come out so I can use it in my classroom! My students will love it. https://t.co/krDhpAQkQk
Amen! That is often the assumption!
It's crazy! That was my old school! HS is much better.
Tradition can be a catch-22, especially when you refuse change or growth b/c of it
Anyone implemented anything from Ken O’Connor’s How to Grade for Learning in your schools?
Effective use of informs planning and instruction. has no part in this.
Ss futures may include professional certification requirements in order to climb the ladder.
I love this! I am going to try this as a rubric.
Met Fr. Spadaro- editor- several times- great author and even better person. Glad he had the interview.
mine too, gonoodle & go out to ski when warmer than -25 (cut off for outdoor recess etc)
Not so much learning, but performance reviews are SOP at work
I agree and have no problem with that ... some parents may be harder to sway!
Absolutely! Do we keep tradition b/c its the best thing or b/c it’s “the way we’ve always done it” https://t.co/9Yr0Z9yB4s
Tradition can be a catch-22, especially when you refuse change or growth b/c of it
agree PD and follow up is necessary by Admin to make a difference
is that the windchill or regular temp? Our cut off is 20 degrees F for the windchill!
And that can be hard to separate when compliance is part of the grade
Q6: What is one thing you are still wondering about? What is one thing you learned?
Exactly! I hear back Monday on my Google Innovator app If I don't get picked, at least I tried! Have to try
Someone who turns in all work does better, leading to a "false-positive" regarding your methods
Parent gave me a book full of these as a goodbye gift at Student Teaching- said a little guide for a gr8 career.
OMG our kids were not allowed if it was drizzling or less than 50 for cold and 90 for hot!
This is so hard for some to understand!
As the kids say, Go big or Go home.
windchill, we are on a lakeshore & wind is brutal,
Drives me nuts to hear about way it has always been done. Not always right!
YES! Some will never do unless admin follows up
and not always relevant. Needs change.
Our cut off temp is 40 degrees for recess, in Louisiana. But that's rare.
A6 that I have a wonderful PLN in and learn from them daily.
tend to keep them in here for rain or wet snow, but not heat (only get a few hot days)
