A Christian Perspective on School Assessment Bernard Bull @bdean1000 www.etale.org
“We shape the technology then it shapes us.”
http://viewfrommypew.blogspot.com/2013/06/destiny-is-no-matter-of-chance-it-is.html
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
I am afraid that the schools will prove the very gates of hell, unless they diligently
labor in explaining the Holy Scriptures and engraving them in the heart of the youth.
– Martin Luther
The US Department of Education Mission Statement
ED’s mission is to promote student achievement and preparation for
global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence
and ensuring equal access.http://www2.ed.gov/about/landing.jhtml
“The mission of the Bethel School District is to provide a safe educational
environment which enables students to develop and apply the skills,
knowledge, attitudes, and values needed to realize their maximum
potential.” http://www.bethelsd.org/school_board/mission_statement
“The Discovery Charter School will foster in its students the passion and curiosity necessary for
lifelong learning. Students will develop the ability to think critically, communicate effectively and excel academically. Through an integrated, place-based curriculum, our students will become stewards of
their environment and community.For some reason, my attention was recently drawn the “global competitiveness” part of the mission.”
http://www.dunesdiscoverycharter.org/pages/about/about.html
“Messmer Catholic Schools dedicate themselves to serving a diverse, urban
population and providing their students with an education that represents the schools’
Catholic heritage. Messmer Catholic Schools prepare their graduates to excel in college,
to succeed in the work force, and to become productive citizens.”
http://www.messmerschools.org/page.cfm?p=353
“The mission of Granada Islamic School is to provide quality academic and Islamic education in a community
that nurtures a strong Muslim identity, fosters brotherhood, and
strengthens moral character.”http://www.granadaschool.org/
“To encourage the development of the whole child by providing a comprehensive Montessori education,
cultivating independent thought and foundational skills as well as awareness of their environment; empathy for
others; social ease and confidence. To establish within a child the intellectual, emotional, and physical rigor needed to become a self-directed learner, flexible thinker, creative problem solver, and support their ever-increasing curiosity about the world in which they live. To help our students to
grow up to be successful global citizens.” http://www.themontessorischools.org/page.cfm?p=505
Doering & Eells (2010)
1. Teaching God’s word, sharing the gospel: Faith development, justification
2. Teaching the whole child: Spiritual, intellectual (cognitive), social, physical, emotional growth
3. Helping families nurture their children4. Integrating the faith in all curriculum: Appreciating
God’s creation5. Academic excellence6. Preparing the student to be in service to God and
society: Leading the sanctified life of discipleshiphttp://lej.cuchicago.edu/church-work-professional/toward-a-common-lutheran-church-
missouri-synod-philosophy-of-education/
4. The mission of Christian education is not rooted in credentials, grades, gold stars or global competition.
5. Each student is a unique child of God, full of potential.
Our assessment practices should amplify and celebrate this fact.
Ephesians 2:8-10
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
6. Education is part of the calling of parent. Schools exist to support and not supplant that
calling.
7. A full and rich Christian education is about much more than math, language arts and other
academic outcomes.
The KORU7 of what employers want and need from graduates and people they hire: grit, rigor, polish, impact, curiosity, teamwork, and
ownership. -Kristen Hamilton, CEO of Koru
Formative or Summative Assessment
1. Checkup or an autopsy2. Low stakes or high stakes3. Checking for understanding & adjustment or
checking and documenting.4. Practice versus “the big event”5. Assessment for and as learning versus
assessment of learning
Mediator Effectiveness Hypothesis (Pyc & Rawson, 2010)
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/330/6002/335.abstract
“test restudy practice”54% versus 34%
Competency-based Assessment
1. Provides focus to the lesson and learning activity.
2. Challenges & motivates learners to reach the standard.
3. Reduces learner anxiety due to unclear expectations.
4. Refines feedback.5. Enables personalized pathways to learning.
Competency-based Assessment
Documenting evidence of performance or learning as it relates to a specific standard or
competency.
Rides a bicycle for 300 feet without falling over or running into anything.
Verifying evidence.
Narrative Feedback
written, audio, video1. Rich description2. Rapport3. Resembles feedback in “the real world”4. Teaching opportunities5. Describe progress over time.
Narrative Assessment
1. Be conversational, but professional.2. Keep the goal in mind.3. Make sure that your feedback is focused on
the goal.4. Include examples and illustrations.5. Give suggestions.
Peer Assessment
1. They need a shared vocabulary.2. They need to know what to focus upon in
their feedback.3. They need clear expectations.4. They need practice and modeling.5. It is easy to do with Good Drive / Google
Docs or your Learning Management System.
Self-Assessment
• They need a checklist or guide at first.• They need modeling.• They to keep the end goal in mind.
Assessment as Learning Questions
• Why am I learning this?• What is my prior knowledge about it?• How can I grow in my knowledge or skill in this
area? • How am I doing? • What do I understand well?• What am I misunderstanding? • What mistakes am I making?• What do I need to do to adjust…to improve my
knowledge or skill?
Portfolio Assessment
• Shows progress over time.• Provide “artifacts” that demonstrate learning.• Involves / engages students in the assessment
process.
Authentic Assessment
• Increases the transfer of knowledge to contexts outside of the class/school.
• Increases student motivation.• Is best created by asking, “What is the best
possible evidence that….?”
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.