Quotable Quotes

Due: June 5, 2012 (Class 9)

For each of the assigned readings, select three quotes.  For each quote, write a brief rationale for why you chose it--- why you feel it is important.

1. "Assessment FOR Learning, the Achievement Gap, and Truly Effective Schools" by Rick Stiggins

(a) "...each standard must be deconstructed in the scaffolding students will climb on their learning to get there...over time they progress through ascending levels of proficiency until they reach the standard.  It is the levels of the ascent that classroom assessment must reflect."  (Page 3)

In this quote Stiggins is saying that before we can assess students we must look at the process students take individually and look at their own progress over time, then we can reflect and assess through what they have accomplished.  I really like this quote from the text because I believe that assessment should not be of where everyone should be by the end of the year, however an assessment of how much they've progressed from day one.

(b) "..help students learn to self assess by comparing their work to that standard of excellence so as to see the differences, and help students learn how to close the gap between the two" (Page 4)

I chose this quote because I believe that as a teacher when you assess it is important that the students know where they are in terms of their achievements and goals.  Having them assess themselves can help them self reflect and see where they can improve and where they are excelling.  Self-assessment is a great way for students to understand more about the assessment process and feel like they have an actual say in their final mark.

(c) "..the student's emotional response to assessment results in any context will determine what that student does about those results.  We must remember who is in charge of the learning, and it is not the teacher." (Page 5)

I like this quote especially the last part where it states that the students are in charge of the learning.  The point is that the way in which students are assessed and the route in which the teacher choses to do so influences the type of attitude and behaviour the student will have over what he/she learns.  It is important to use positive assessment strategies and including them in the assessment process, students will feel more confident when they feel that they are striving towards an achievable goal which will help them feel more obligated to learn rather then inhibited.