Balanced Assessment

Irene Zderic

Reflective Essay #2

Balanced Assessment

My understanding about balanced assessment is that teachers need to combine various methods of assessments to obtain an accurate measure and monitor student's knowledge, progress, and skills. It should include both summative and formative assessments, and teachers should utilize the various tools available for measuring student's growth. . I also have learned from readings in a previous Assessment class, that no one piece of evidence is sufficient to provide an evaluation of a student's growth and achievement (Burke,2009). Teachers need to combine various methods of assessment so that the strengths of one offset the limitations of the other. Each single measurement of assessment is insufficient to provide an accurate portrait of the student or learner. Fogarty and Stoehr (2007) discussed and addressed that a combination of traditional assessments, portfolio assessments, and performance assessments will subsequently meet the needs of all students.

In my Practicum Classroom, my Master Teacher uses various ways to monitor student's progress from the beginning through the end of the day. I observe her incorporating formative assessment during the morning routine, using anecdotal notes, personal observation and discussion. She encourages the students to demonstrate their content knowledge and technological skills during these routines. The first activity is the "Calendar" where a student leads the class in selecting the correct day/month/date, number of lapsed school days, the weather, mathematical exercises and games, etc. using the Smart Board. Consequently, it also develops their critical thinking, problem-solving skills, communication, collaboration skills and technological skills. This activity helps in the development of leadership skills for the students leading the activity, and at the same time it also develops the skill of being a part of a learning community for the rest of the group. All these qualities and skills are part of the goal of why we're educating children, which is to facilitate them in becoming useful members of society. My Cooperating Teacher also uses Math Games to reinforce mathematical concepts that they are learning.

I had observed my Master Teacher conducting informal assessments throughout the day, whether during class discussion, learning instruction or individualized meeting with a child. She uses personal observation, anecdotal notes, discussion, work samples or taking performance assessments. She had assigned students to take quizzes, homework assignments, compile portfolio materials, work individually or as groups learning how to collaborate. Ms. McMullen assesses not only her students' educational knowledge but make sure that they know how to get along with others and perform