GGA10-16:  SEEING WITH NEW EYES - MATH ASSESSMENT THROUGH THE SHARED VISION OF A PROFESSIONAL LEARNING COMMUNITY

INSTRUCTOR(S): Janet Maki, makij@osceola.k12.wi.us
GRADE LEVEL: K-4
(5-Day Workshop)
 

Who wouldn’t want a school where teachers collaborate to find ways to help students achieve more?

Many educators are attracted to the professional learning communities model because of its emphasis on shared vision, collective commitments, and collaborative and collegial relationships. We must not lose sight of the fact, however, that the very reason for becoming a learning community is to become more effective in helping all students achieve higher levels of learning. If we stay true to that purpose, we will use data to focus on results.

The Wisconsin Department of Instruction, in their Mathematics Curriculum Planning Guide, reminds us that “Assessment can be used to provide evidence of what students know and are able to do; to express what is valued regarding what students are to know, do, or believe; to provide information to decision makers; and to provide information on the effectiveness of the educational system as a whole.”

In this workshop, participants will gather together to form a professional learning community whose purpose will be to explore the many aspects of assessment and data collection in the mathematics classroom.  Participants will learn about Mathematical Power Words that are appropriate for each grade level, investigate creating and implementing formative assessment tools that check for understanding, match curriculum and test items to the Wisconsin Math Standards, interpret assessment results and discover ways to use results to drive classroom instruction.