Assessment+for+Learning

Formative assessment is a process used by teachers and students as part of instruction that provides feedback to adjust ongoing teaching and learning to improve students' achievement of core content. As assessment FOR learning, formative assessment practices provide students with clear learning targets, examples and models of strong and weak work, regular descriptive feedback, and the ability to self-assess, track learning, and set goals.

  

**Attributes of Assessment for Learning:**
**Educators utilize K-12 learning progressions along which students are expected to progress in a domain.**  **Student learning goals are clear, focused on the intended learning and communicated so all students understand criteria for success.**
 * Another example of a learning progression was when we first got computers at WL. We first had to learn how to turn them on - - then learned how to send an email (and ran down the hall to see if the other person got it!).
 * Like a map - - you can see the big picture and the goal

**Instructional modifications for students are planned from carefully elicited evidence of student learning.**
 * Like Goldilocks - - it has to be just right
 * Similar to how a GPS tells you where are are and where you are going

**Descriptive feedback identifies for students the specific knowledge and skills needed to reach learning goal(s).**
 * This is like the show on TV "Hole in the Wall" where the team mates get instruction on how to shape their bodies in order to avoid getting hit by the wall and falling in the water.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Self and peer assessment is planned and structured by the educator and students in order to develop life-long learning skills.**
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">As in sales - - you have a personal sales goal and one for the entire company to do well.
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Or like getting dressed - - if someone compliments your outfit, you wear it again confidently.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">**A collaborative classroom climate is conducive to assessment for learning.**
 * <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Sports teams have goals and respect for their teammates.