Date of Award
1-1-1992
Document Type
Practicum
Degree Name
Doctor of Education
Department
Child and Youth Care Administration
Advisor
Georgianna Lowen
Keywords
alternative assessment, assessment techniques, ecological evaluation, evaluation, language arts assessment, literacy development, observation checklists, primary education, reading assessment, reading behavior, student evaluation, systematic observation, teacher observation, whole language assessment, writing assessment
Abstract
This practicum sought to measure and document real learning in natural circumstances through the use of whole language assessment techniques: Observation checklists on which skills for the language arts (writing, spelling, reading) were listed; the skills of students were measured using descriptor words such as stable, evident, and not evident. In this way, a student’s progress along the road of literacy development was plotted in a positive way.
A reading behavior form was also included. This classified students into one of three learning groups, according to the answers given to a list of seven questions; emphasis was on behavior and learning style.
These alternative assessment forms were collected in a very simplified seven page booklet format, with a place on the front for the student's name. Not only could the student's skills be assessed quickly through check marks in the appropriate columns, but his or her style of learning was also included in the booklet (through the Reading Behavior Form).
Results of the practicum exceeded the author's expectations in that teachers were anxious to try the alternative evaluation forms. It was unusual to be able to grade students without comparing them with each other. Because of the security the teachers felt with letter grades, the author designed grade scales so that checks could be converted into letter grades.