Thought of the Week
#DoverProud Shoutouts
Resource of the WeekWeekly Calendar (Printable Calendar)Monday, May 16th (A Day)
Keystone: Literature Home Sporting Events: None Tuesday, May 17th (B Day) Keystone: Literature DASD Athletics Bone Marrow Drive (After School) Home Sporting Events: Varsity Softball (4:15) Wednesday, May 18th (C Day) Keystone: Algebra Home Sporting Events: None Thursday, May 19th (D Day) Keystone: Algebra Home Sporting Events: None Friday, May 20th (E Day) - #DoverProud Day Keystone: Biology Home Sporting Events: None Saturday, May 21st Prom
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Thought of the WeekThis week I had the opportunity to represent our nation's principals at an event at the Gallup World Headquarters in Washington, DC. The event was a panel discussion to coincide with the release of a two-year study on assessment in our schools. Results of the study were very interesting, particularly regarding student and parent views on assessment (you can read the report here). During the panel conversation, a number of the audience members asked about the impact of assessment practices in our schools. The conversation centered largely on the impact of assessment under No Child Left Behind and how teachers have adjusted their professional practice to the "testing windows" created by many accountability laws. This conversation got me thinking about how schools end their time with students each year.
When many of us went to school, we remember final exams as the capstone assessment of our learning. In some instances, this still holds true. However, in many schools assessment windows have created false ends to the school year. Students and teachers gear up for the state assessment and we falsely identify the end of the learning process, often weeks before the end of the school calendar. As educators, the question then becomes a simple one - how do we maximize the end of the year for learning? In the resource area below, you will find an article by Rebecca Alber that provides simple project ideas to maintain learning through the end of the year. These projects are simply ideas, kick starters for a greater purpose. If we want a culture of learning, we must maximize our time at the end of the year. We must create environments where "check out" doesn't happen simply because the calendar rolls. We must challenge our students and ourselves to make that last assessment of the year be meaningful beyond the grade. |
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