Fantabulous work as usual. Great discussion of assessment. I'd like to bring into the conversation the background framework of formative vs. summative assessment. Those assessments that teachers create are formative: they are used in the teaching & learning cycle to inform the teaching & learning -- we learn from them. Summative assessments aren't typically used this way: they're a measurement used to quantify, place, etc. (final exams, grades, etc.) Standardized assessments are overwhelmingly summative. MCAS is summative. Here's my question re: STAR: is it intended to be used as a formative assessment, as you suggest, informing instruction, or is it strictly summative? If it's strictly summative, why is it being used 3x a year? That timing suggests it's being used as a pre- and post-test, with an intermediary point as well.
According to the district it is considered a "screener", as it says on the WPS website: "What they are: Screeners are brief assessments given at the beginning, middle, and end of the year. They identify students who may need additional reading and math support and are focused on key skills. Screeners are essential for early identification and intervention, especially within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Screeners can also be used to track student progress over time in response to interventions they are receiving." https://www.worcesterschools.org/o/wps/page/standardized-testing-information#screeners
Fantabulous work as usual. Great discussion of assessment. I'd like to bring into the conversation the background framework of formative vs. summative assessment. Those assessments that teachers create are formative: they are used in the teaching & learning cycle to inform the teaching & learning -- we learn from them. Summative assessments aren't typically used this way: they're a measurement used to quantify, place, etc. (final exams, grades, etc.) Standardized assessments are overwhelmingly summative. MCAS is summative. Here's my question re: STAR: is it intended to be used as a formative assessment, as you suggest, informing instruction, or is it strictly summative? If it's strictly summative, why is it being used 3x a year? That timing suggests it's being used as a pre- and post-test, with an intermediary point as well.
According to the district it is considered a "screener", as it says on the WPS website: "What they are: Screeners are brief assessments given at the beginning, middle, and end of the year. They identify students who may need additional reading and math support and are focused on key skills. Screeners are essential for early identification and intervention, especially within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Screeners can also be used to track student progress over time in response to interventions they are receiving." https://www.worcesterschools.org/o/wps/page/standardized-testing-information#screeners