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

Who was William Farish?1759-1837

“Explore the Possibilities”

Educational Ruts

How does your mission shape your school?

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

“To maximize each student’s learning.”

http://www.sunprairie.k12.wi.us/district/vision_mission.cfm

“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

How does your mission shape your school?

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/

7 Considerations About Assessment & Christian Education

1 . We tend to measure what we can easily measure.

2. What we measure often becomes what we value.

3. Our mission calls us to nurture a culture of learning over a culture of earning.

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.

1950

children television

needs of my neighbor

Mr. Rogers’Neighborhood

? ?

?

Your Neighborhood

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 vs. Summative Assessment

Autopsy vs. Checkup

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

What happens when formative assessment is absent?

Mediator Effectiveness Hypothesis (Pyc & Rawson, 2010)

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/330/6002/335.abstract

“test restudy practice”54% versus 34%

learning experience

feedback on

progress

learner monitors

this feedback

learner adjusts

A Tour of Assessment Types

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.

Standards-based Education

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?

What is the role of the teacher?

Design

Demonstrate

Mirror

Mentor

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.

A Christian Perspective on School Assessment

Bernard Bull@bdean1000

www.etale.org