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Wake County February/March 2012 Using Assessments to Transform Instruction
Wake CountyFebruary/March 2012
Using Assessments to Transform Instruction
Benchmark Assessments: What They Are
Assessments that are given by teachers during the six-or nine-week period help gauge student learning such that teachers can reteach or accelerate learning for students.
Quality Benchmark Assessments
• Aligned to the NC Standard Course of Study• Aligned to district pacing• Formatted to look and feel like EOG/EOC tests• Provide detailed data on individual students for
remediation/acceleration• Provide valid and reliable results• Incorporate thinking skills • Support the written, taught and tested curriculum
Areas of Focus
• Graphs, timelines, tables, charts, maps, and political cartoons
• Reading competencies (cognition, connection, critical stance, and interpretation)
• Genres (fiction, nonfiction/informational, poetry, science, social studies, consumer)
• Math and science goals/objectives• Lower order and higher order thinking skills
Test Questions
• Number of questions per assessment: 2nd grade reading 40 math 45≅ ≅
3rd – 8th grade reading 50 math ≅60≅
5th and 8th grade science 52≅Algebra, English 1, Biology 60≅
• % of questions in each academic level: 15% easy, 35% easy/medium, 35% medium/hard, 15% hard
• Lower order thinking skills 40% • Higher order thinking skills 60%
Benchmarks Provide
• Opportunity for data-driven instruction• Precise progress monitoring, (i.e. high flyers- making
progress)• Tool to drive data driven PLT time• Data to identify trends• Alignment of instruction to Standard Course of Study• Quality, individualized data that helps identify
strengths and weaknesses in student learning• Information to support targeted remediation and
acceleration to meet needs of all students
Comprehensive Reports
• Class, School, District• Percent correct• Projected scale score • Projected achievement level • Suggested grade for students• Projected growth• Item analysis
Let’s Review the Reports!
