I want to give you some flexibility with these two assignments.  Each will have its own strand in our On-Line-Discussion site as in FIELD #1 and FIELD #2.  I realize that some field placements may not give you the same opportunities as others.  So, I will give you the freedom to do #1 first or second and or #2 first or second.  BUT, please post the assignment in the numbered order of the Strand.  For example if you do Field #2 first, post it in the FIELD #2 strand!  Which ever one you do, please have it posted at the end of each week, by Saturday.  Also, please REPLY to at least one other person's field assignment each week by REACTING to it, like we normally do with our REFLECTION/REACTION cycles.  This will give us all an opportunity to see what each other is experiencing and "relate" to it!. I want you to bring hard copy of both assignments to class when you return to campus on Tuesday, February 8, 2005 when it should be turned in to me!

OBJECTIVE:  During the first unit of instruction we were introduced to the history of measurement and assessment (Chapter 1).  Throughout Chapters 1 and 2 several issues regarding ethics and assessment were introduced, as well.  Alternatives to "traditional" assessment were discussed in Chapter 2 and 3.   To explore whether or not these issues are evident in the lives of classroom teachers, I would like you to observe and interview teachers to find out how they are contending with the following concepts:

* Minimum Competency Testing (MCT): (Ohio Proficiency[Graduation] Testing).
* Ethical issues related to confidentiality
* High Stakes Decisions based on MCT's
* Their views on "alternative" testing"

ASSIGNMENT #1:  Interview two different teachers with regard to the concepts listed above.  Write two separate narratives summarizing their descriptions with regard to the following:

* How they "prepare" for the Ohio Proficiency (Graduation) Tests.
* What pressures they may perceive for their students to perform on the Ohio Proficiency [Graduation] Tests.
* The teachers perceptions of how their students respond to the Ohio Proficiency tests.
* How the teachers report these results to their students and their parents.

Please note the name of the school, grade level and content area (domain) of the teachers.  After obtaining their answers to the above questions, write a short narrative (1 to 2 pages, single spaced lines) comparing and contrasting the two different teachers' views.  Look for similarities and differences between their responses.  Then, attempt to draw a personal conclusion that can also be related to the Linn/Miller (2004) text (Chapters 1,2 and 3).

Please provide a cover pages for each Field Assignment with your name , Field Assignment #, Date, and EDP 303M.A or B.  Prepare this in your word processor and then "cut-and-paste" it into the text window of the "On-Line-Discussion" strand for Field #1 or Field #2 by the end of each week in the field (no later than Saturday evening to receive full credit for this assignment!).
 
 

GRADE LEVEL:

DOMAIN:

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF TEACHER'S PERCEPTIONS REGARDING:

* How they "prepare" for the Ohio Proficiency Tests.
 [YOUR NARRATIVE HERE and delete this line]
 

* What pressures they may perceive for their students to perform on the Ohio Proficiency Tests.
 [YOUR NARRATIVE HERE and delete this line]
 

* The teachers perceptions of how their students respond to the Ohio Proficiency tests.
 [YOUR NARRATIVE HERE and delete this line]
 

* How the teachers report these results to their students and their parents.
 [YOUR NARRATIVE HERE and delete this line]
 
 

GRADE LEVEL:

DOMAIN:

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF TEACHER'S PERCEPTIONS REGARDING::

* How they "prepare" for the Ohio Proficiency Tests.
 [YOUR NARRATIVE HERE and delete this line]
 

* What pressures they may perceive for their students to perform on the Ohio Proficiency Tests.
 [YOUR NARRATIVE HERE and delete this line]
 

* The teachers perceptions of how their students respond to the Ohio Proficiency tests.
 [YOUR NARRATIVE HERE and delete this line]
 

* How the teachers report these results to their students and their parents.
  [YOUR NARRATIVE HERE and delete this line]
 
 

COMPARE AND CONTRAST:
 [YOUR NARRATIVE HERE and delete this line]

RELATIONSHIP TO THE Linn/Miller (2004) text [MAINLY CHAPTERS 1-2-3] AND YOUR PERSONAL CONCLUSION :
 [YOUR NARRATIVE HERE and delete this line] 

LASTLY, GO TO THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONS WEB SITE [http://www.ode.state.oh.us/reportcard] WHERE "REPORTCARD" INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE FOR SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS  AND OBTAIN WHAT INFORMATION YOU CAN ON THE SCHOOL AND SCHOOL SYSTEM'S PAST PROFICIENCY TEST PERFORMANCE.  This could be merely a cut-and-paste of the data you find here.  TRY TO MAKE A SHORT COMPARISON BETWEEN WHAT YOUR CO-OPERATING TEACHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT THE OPT AND WHAT YOU SEE IN THE OHIO REPORT CARD.  
 

Throughout the two weeks you are in the field observe and record any evidence of the types of assessment that teachers are using.  Look for evidence of alternative assessment strategies!  Are they using:

* Traditional objective assessments such as those described so far in Chs 6-7-8.
* Portfolios
* Performance based testing
* Authentic Assessment

When you see an assessment strategy being used, give a brief description of its actual use including:

* What materials are being used,
* What the student actually has to be doing if engaged in this kind of activity, and
* How the teacher is going to give the student credit (how it determines a grade for the student.
Try to fit these descriptions in the right most cell of the table (OBSERVATION column).

IN ADDITION SEE IF YOU CAN FIND OUT IF ANY OTHER STANDARDIZED TESTS [NOT OHIO PROFICIENCY TESTS] ARE USED BY THIS SCHOOL.  SPCIFICALLY WHAT ARE THEY.  THEY USUALLY HAVE A NAME OR TITLE.

Interview two teachers (try not to use the same two teachers in ASSIGNMENT #1, but if you have to use the same teachers that's OK) attempting to determine the various types of assessments they use to determine grades in their classrooms.  Again, please note the name of the school, grade level and content area (domain) of the teachers. Write a short narrative (1 to 2 pages, single spaced lines) comparing and contrasting the two teachers assessment strategies.  Compare and contrast the two teachers' assessment strategies.  Look for similarities and differences between their responses.  Then, attempt to draw a personal conclusion that can also be related to the Linn/Miller (2004) text .  The following template should be used:
 
 

GRADE LEVEL	DOMAIN	OBSERVATIONS (DESCRIPTIONS OF ASSESSMENTS BEING USED)
1.	.	.
2.	.	.
3.	.	.
4.	.	.
5.	.	.
6.	.	.
7.	.	.
8	.	.
9. ETC.	.	.

 

DATE:    /    /            TIME:

NAME OF SCHOOL:

GRADE LEVEL:
 

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF TEACHER'S ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES:
[YOUR NARRATIVE HERE and delete this line]
 
 

DATE:    /    /            TIME:

NAME OF SCHOOL:

GRADE LEVEL:

DOMAIN:

NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF TEACHER'S ASSESSMENT STRATEGIES:
[YOUR NARRATIVE HERE and delete this line]
 
 
 
 

COMPARE AND CONTRAST:
[YOUR NARRATIVE HERE and delete this line]
 
 
 

RELATIONSHIP TO THE LINN/MILLER TEXT [MAINLY CHAPTERS 1-2-3]  AND YOUR PERSONAL CONCLUSION :
[YOUR NARRATIVE HERE and delete this line]