Thanks so much for posting. One question regarding the '2-step' model; I thought MCPS had moved away from having teachers as gate-keepers to determine which children get to take tests that could qualify a student for advanced instruction, or take an AP class in HS. Why re-introduce this gate-keeper role? Why not assess all the students 'using performance tasks?' Anyone care to answer? Thanks.
Not everything that is measured gives a full picture of a child's abilities; perhaps using the objective test as only one measure - especially, say, for a child who tests badly on something like the MSA but otherwise performs and demonstrates understanding in the class - can help male sure that all (or at least most) kids who are ready for more can get it, rather than relying on partial metrics that only tell half the story? Conversely, there may be kids who test well but who cannot demonstrate understanding in class, so a gatekeeper role would help place such a child appropriately as well.
"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts." Or something like that. :-)
Thanks so much for posting. One question regarding the '2-step' model; I thought MCPS had moved away from having teachers as gate-keepers to determine which children get to take tests that could qualify a student for advanced instruction, or take an AP class in HS. Why re-introduce this gate-keeper role? Why not assess all the students 'using performance tasks?' Anyone care to answer? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteNot everything that is measured gives a full picture of a child's abilities; perhaps using the objective test as only one measure - especially, say, for a child who tests badly on something like the MSA but otherwise performs and demonstrates understanding in the class - can help male sure that all (or at least most) kids who are ready for more can get it, rather than relying on partial metrics that only tell half the story? Conversely, there may be kids who test well but who cannot demonstrate understanding in class, so a gatekeeper role would help place such a child appropriately as well.
Delete"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts." Or something like that. :-)