Assessment Évaluation
Assessment drives instruction; my philosophy revolves around this statement. Assessment to me does not mean to test for the sake of testing or to give a mark simply because it needs to be given. Assessing students is done for the sole purpose of keeping track of their learning and to ensure that they are successful in reaching their goals. Each student has the potential to be successful and my role as a teacher is to allow for every one to get a chance to shine.
In my classroom, I will strongly encourage my students to take risks and to not be afraid to be wrong. I will congratulate successes just as much as mistakes and will always be sure to lead them in the right direction, no matter the struggles or obstacles that may arise. I will go above and beyond to help my students succeed because I teach for them. Their success is my first priority.
My assessment strategies include a great deal of formative assessment. I am aware that a lot of work goes behind preparing formative assessments and to assure that they are kept organized and easily accessible, however I strongly believe in the benefits they have on student success. Formative assessment provides the opportunity to monitor student learning and to be able to intervene as soon as necessary in order to guide the students in the correct direction. Formative assessment allows the opportunity for me to keep track of where my students are and to monitor their progress throughout the year.
Summative assessment will also take place at the end of a unit or chapter in order for me to be able to see how well the students have understood the particular material. I will also use summative assessment as an overall conclusion of the learning of the students, placing those particular evaluations at the end of the formative assessment pile in order to be able to compare and refer to anytime.
In order to be able to better meet my students' needs, I will also provide them with choice in the way that they are assessed. I strongly believe that a key factor in student success is to allow them to perform in ways which they can relate to. Providing choice assignments and assessments will allow for every student's needs to be met and for them to be able to give 100% of their work in the way they feel the most comfortable.
Below is a video I created with my colleagues where we explain formative and summative assessments along with the benefits of conducting both forms when evaluating students' learning.