Assessments provide teacher and district leaders with valuable information regarding student achievements, especially areas which have improved or need improvement and the existence of achievement gaps among learners.
Step 2. Create
Create a one-page chart detailing at least five assessments for literacy. Include the following categories: assessment name, brief description, grade level, and uses.
Step 3. Review
Review your school’s or district’s (ECPPS in elizabeth city NC) current literacy assessment plan. Compare it to the assessments in Step 2.
Step 4. Evaluate
Evaluate the usefulness of each test in the existing assessment plan. How would you improve the plan? Write a review of your school or district’s assessment plan.
Sample Answer
Literacy Assessment Plan Review and Improvement
Since I cannot access your specific school district's (ECPPS in Elizabeth City, NC) current internal assessment plan, I will complete Steps 2, 3, and 4 by using a set of common, widely-used literacy assessments that a district like ECPPS would likely utilize or consider.
Step 2: Literacy Assessment Chart
This chart details five common and essential types of literacy assessments across various purposes and grade levels.
Overall Review and Assessment Plan Improvement
The hypothetical ECPPS plan demonstrates a strong commitment to foundational skills (DIBELS) and state accountability (EOG). However, a critical gap exists in standardized, standards-aligned formative data gathered during the school year.
Critical Gap: Mid-Course Standards Alignment Data
The primary weakness is the reliance on BAS (which measures reading level but not always standards mastery) and the delay until the EOG. Teachers lack consistent, objective data that tells them: "Which students are struggling with which specific grade-level standards right now, in the middle of the unit?"