Role+of+Assessment


 * Assessment drives instruction**


 * Assessment should be multifaceted**

**Assessment should include information about how a child learns, not just what a child is able to do****.**

In a teacher’s assessment of their students, it is important to remember that two children who are exceptional in the same way may have completely different needs and ways of learning and have completely different IEPs. **Assessment should look at how a child learns across multiple settings/tasks, such as** indoors, outdoors, group or individual activities and movement or sitting activities.
 * Role of Assessment:**
 * Assessment identifies the child's current level of functioning
 * Assessment results in the setting of developmentally appropriate goals for the child
 * **Assessment should include information from multiple sources:**
 * **Medical** – TVI's need the standard information that ophthalmologists provide. They also need additional medical information from the pediatrician, neurologist, and other medical specialists.
 * **Family** – TVI's need an interview with the family of a child, in order to get information from the family. Even if a TVI is familiar with the child in the context of the classroom, knowing how the child acts within the home environment is very useful information. Parents also take their children out to many places where the TVI's are not present. Knowing how the child interacts in those instances can greatly help the TVI get a better assessment.
 * **Teachers and others involved in the child's daily care or educational program** – TVI's need to talk to and be involved (in a multi-disciplinary way) with teachers, OT's, PT's, and others involved with the child's daily care or educational program. For example, when Tom Miller goes out on a home visit to see a child with severe motor issues, he also plans a co-visit with the child's physical therapist. This allows him to see how the PT is positioning the child, and can intervene if the position is not the most effective for the child's access to the learning material. Additionally, Tom Miller wants to make sure that he is not placing the child in a position where their learning access is decreased. **This team approach among all the people involved is a key factor in helping the child learn and function effectively.**

 There are two different types of assessments:

These often take the forms of Quizzes, Essays, and Observations. These are done daily in the classroom almost automatically without much thought.
 * Formative- this is ongoing and informal

These often take the forms of Chapter Tests, Unit Tests, State Tests, and Vocab Tests. These are often planned and meant to cover all the material in a unit.
 * Summative- done at the end of a unit

Constructing learning experiences that are based on the multiple intelligences provides all students with the opportunity to be successful. When it comes to assessment of that learning we use the same concept in designing authentic situations we have called learning celebrations. A paper and pencil test does not touch true understanding. Unfortunately, it has become the standard way for students to show their knowledge. To demonstrate understanding we feel learners need to have choices so they can show evidence of their learning through the intelligence of their choice. To be a useful assessment, that learning should be applied in a setting that demonstrates genuine understanding.

http://www.newhorizons.org/strategies/assess/meyer_glock.htm

__Formative__: Focused on improvement __Summative:__ Focused on judgment
 * improved learning by students
 * Improved teaching by teachers
 * Final exams/grades
 * Course reaction surveys