Assessments are important tools that educators use for a variety of reasons. The basic use of assessments is for measuring the student’s knowledge. For English Language Learners and special education students, assessments are generally used for placement. Using the results from the evaluations, educators use their findings to place the students in the most beneficial class for them. As more ELL students enter the classroom as well as other diverse scholars, the importance of having knowledge of different assessments and teaching strategies becomes imperative and basically mandatory. When entering the kindergarten English Language Learners classroom at Sprout State School of the Arts, the head teacher was able to give inciteful information in regards to the many educational questions that were asked concerning the different facets of education in the classroom. Through a lengthy interview with the teacher, information was gained concerning indicators of exceptionality in ELL students, information pertaining to the use of formal and informal assessments in placement, the role of parents and teachers in placement, as well as underachievement factors that may not need special education needs, justification for changes in proficiency levels, the integration of assessment types and the benefits of the SIOP protocol for all learners. When in the kindergarten English Language Learner classroom, the educator answered many questions pertaining to English Language Learners and the
English language learners (ELL) are one of the fastest growing classifications of students attending schools in the United States today. They represent a diverse group of students typically coming from homes or backgrounds where English is not the primary language spoken. Additionally, ELL students experience difficulties communicating or learning academic instruction in English.
For this task you are required to determine the risk context associated with establishing a new business outlet, within the existing business structure. They will be required to review internal and external environment factors and liaise with all stakeholders to generate a list of risks.
Questioning is a method of testing knowledge by asking the learner a series of questions related to the performance criteria. It is important that the assessor plans the questions beforehand, ensuring that open questions are used, and identifies the means of recording them, whether it be written; voice recorded or videoed. Questioning can be a very useful assessment method used alongside other methods. With observation, in particular, ‘what if’ questions can be used for evidence that might be hard to obtain, for example.
Assessment is a valuable tool to measure students learning and achievement. It is an essential element for teacher to reflect on what and how they teach. To assess students is to collect evidence of their learning. Teachers use the information to modify their lesson plans and adjust their instructional methods; students need feedback on their performance to concentrate on their vulnerable areas. Assessment is necessary for parents to reinforce their children strength and assist them where extra attention is required. The data collected will inform school
The test is designed by teachers and Pearsons, a test development company, and is designed to measure the proficiency of ELLs. The test assess four language modalities; listening, speaking, reading, and writing. It is done over five grade bands; K-1, 2-4, 5-6, 7-8, and 9-12 and is administered by trained staff members. The test is comprised of; multiple choice questions in listening, reading, and writing. A short written response and an extended written response for the writing area, and an oral response for the oral area, are also required. The oral, written portion of the test is graded by trained teachers, while the multiple choice portion is graded by Pearson.
Analyzed below are the two journal articles about special education assessments entitled, Predictors of Assessment Accommodations Use for Students Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing from the Journal of Educational Research & Policy Studies (Cawthon & WurtzBest, 2010) and A Methodology for Assessing the Functions of Emerging Speech in Children with Developmental Disabilities from the Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis (Parten, et al, 2005). The analysis revolves around the following areas: nature of research, summary, critique, personnel, future practice, and future research.
Interviewing the special education supervisor has made me aware of how important my role is as a regular education teacher to special students who need additional support in my classroom. The goal of the teacher is to ensure that the IEP is followed to ensure the academic success of all students. IEP stands for Individual Education Plan and the plan is usually developed when students have several deficiencies in certain key subject areas such as: reading comprehension, basic reading, reading fluency, written expressions, math calculation, and math reasoning. Students are referred to the special education department usually in elementary school, additionally; according to the high school special education supervisor there are very few referrals
Needs assessments are conducted every spring and is administered by each LEA which includes input from the teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators, parents, recruiters, and other service providers. Interviews/focus groups are held every year to determine the needs and satisfaction regarding the LEA’s program. The Language proficiency assessment is given to all ELL students for placement in the LEP programs. The content achievement assessments are given by the state to student in grades 3-12 which are administered annually and measure the student’s abilities in reading, writing, math, computer skills, and other content areas. K-2 assessments are used to provide data of student’s development and progress in reading and math using formative and summative assessments (http://www.dpi.state.nc.us).
Assessment is all about making judgements. A major argument for involving students in self and peer-assessment is that it helps them to develop the ability to make judgements, in particular about themselves and their work. This is an important life skill as well as an academic one.
My placement is in two sixth-grade classes, math and social studies. In my current 6th grade math placement, I am not seeing any differentiation of instruction or assessment based on their language proficiency levels. As I was discussing this assignment with my teacher, it was very difficult for her to give me any of this information. She had to look on the computer to find out who was an ELL and how many ELL students she had, as well as the number of IEP students she had. After realizing she did
Assessment is essential as the information gathered is how the students are progressing to the learning outcomes and performance standards. Upon completing this artifact, it is recognized how assessments impact how instruction should be delivered, and recognizing that all students will learn differently. As an educator, flexibility and adapting to the diverse learning environment is necessary to ensure all students are grasping the material. Realizing there are those who do not test well and trying to find ways to assess those skills through class discussions or group work while encouraging the students and praising them for their efforts. Designing and creating unique ways to ensure all students are learning the material and meeting the objectives and goals set forth in the lesson plan. It is the responsibility of an educator to develop goals that will reinforce lesson plans, lectures, and instruction. Those students who have an IEP modifications will be made based on their IEP recommendations. For ESL/ELL students in the class, modifications will be made on a case by case as recommending to ensure the students are successfully meeting their learning goals to their fullest
Ms. Tanis professes that the “one test fits all” concept that is nurtured by the NCLB mandated testing is not fair for all children. Some children with learning disabilities are predestined to failure because of this type testing. Ms. Tanis brings to the forefront that not all assessment is good. Assessment of children in areas which they have no concept of or are not functioning at that level does nothing but frustrate the children and the teachers. This concept is new to me in my education career but is one that I and all educators must sadly be aware
During my observation, I was able to observe two students at different grade levels. For my first student, my assessment was based on the criteria of Letter and Sound, Alphabet Knowledge, Site Words and Interest inventory assessments. However, my second assessment was based on the criteria of Running Record, Site Words, and the Interest inventory. Thus within this paper, I will present the data I collected from the assessments of each student.
Content is very important when it comes to in assessment. This is very important for ELL since teachers need to make sure that they are providing materials that help to see the demonstrating of students understanding. Assessments are importance because it helps to see whether the goals that are set are being meet or not. Teachers want to make sure that the content will help them make meaningful decisions. The importance of content is making sure that the correct implications are being meant. It was stated assessments are used to measure classification, promotion, or classification (Abedi, & Levine, 2013, P. 26). Therefore, it is important to make sure that teachers are assessing students for a significant outcome. When ELL students are being assessed it is important to present students with linguistic support (Abedi, & Levine, 2013, P. 27). Overall teachers need to make sure that they are assessing the ELL students since the ELL students are not familiar with the English
Special Education 332 (Education and Inclusion of Individuals with Special Needs) has been enlightening for me as a secondary mathematics educator. In the beginning of the semester, my feelings towards special education were those of apathy and insensitivity. I now understand that my feelings were due to my lack of knowledge and my judgment based on stereotypes.