Assessments Information teaching to the test Controversial state standards is based on professional judgement-standards-based reforms various prior theories of learning and methods http://www.people.virginia.edu/~ehw2d/assessmentsinformation.html
Extractions: Classroom assessment is integral to learning, crucial for several reasons: to determine a student's pre-existing base of knowledge or experience with a particular subject, to determine if the mode(s) of teaching the material is (are) sufficient and effective, and to determine at the end of the learning experiences whether the student gained the desired amount and fluency with the information. A formal definition by W. James Popham, in Classroom Assessment: What Teachers Need To Know , states, "Educational assessment is a formal attempt to determine student's status with resepct to educational variables of interest." Within the idea of formal attempts, assessment may take many forms, among them various types of tests and quizzes, projects, homework, portfolios, and assignments. Assessment includes all activities that teachers and students undertake to get information that can be used diagnostically to alter teaching and learning. Under this definition, assessment encompasses teacher observation, classroom discussion, and analysis of student work, including homework and tests. Whatever the form, the need for classroom assessment is clear.
Teacher Resources Each project links to National Science and NCTM math standards. teaching learning exemplary sites for teaching and learning on the web; Totware - An index http://www.arlington.k12.va.us/schools/barrett/links/teach.html
Extractions: Technology Integration APS Instructional Technology Integration - Sue has links to sites and describes software available in the Demo lab Inspiration - Webcast by APS ITC Dan Redding - provides great introduction to Inspiration and integration ideas in all core subjects. the first link uses QuickTime which you can use from school. If you are at home, you may want to use the
VIRGINIA'S READING RESOURCES Writing Test Teacher Resource Notebook Resources for teaching writing and preparingstudents for Virginias standards of learning writing assessments http://richmond.k12.va.us/readamillion/virginiasreadresour.htm
Testimony Of Ms. Jane Massey-Wilson Consultants have worked with teachers on teaching the standards of learning andon interpreting and With the new standards of learning assessment, we are http://edworkforce.house.gov/hearings/106th/ecyf/esea6999/massey-wilson.htm
Extractions: June 1999 Mr. Castle, Members of the Committee Thank you for inviting me to speak on "Academic Accountability." It is a topic near and dear to my heart, and I appreciate the work you are doing to improve academic accountability in our schools. I come to you today in support of high academic standards, high expectations, and accountability in public schools. Our students deserve no less. American businesses deserve no less. Our children are our most valuable resource for the future. We want to make certain that our students are competitive in the state, the nation, the world. We keep hearing from the business world that students are not prepared in the basics and that businesses are spending large amounts of money teaching recent high school graduates to read and write. We keep hearing from businesses that we need to teach the core academics, and they will train employees in specifics of the job. We must make certain that our students are well educated and have a competitive edge. I support the Virginia K-12 Education Reform to raise student achievement.
Standards Of Learning, Standards Of Accreditation aligned with the standards of learning and we and the impact of these standards onevery work ethic, tremendous students, outstanding teaching, strong parent http://www.henrico.k12.va.us/GeneralInformation/solsoa.html
Extractions: and Standards of Accreditation In 1994, Governor George Allen charged the state legislators to do four things: Henrico County Public Schools has embraced and is well on the way to implementing these new standards of student performance and school accountability. In an effort to improve public education in Virginia, legislators are eager to hold students and schools accountable for academic performance. Students, no matter where they live in Virginia, must pass the same content tests for core subjects. This concept will ensure consistency in the academic preparation of all students upon graduation from high school. When will my child take the tests?
NewsHour Extra: SOL Testing - September 12, 1999 the testThat's how many students feel about the standards of learning (SOL are designedto measure how well teachers are teaching and students are learning. http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/features/july-dec99/sol.html
Extractions: For some students, the possibility of having to repeat a grade is scary. "It's a really big test because if you fail you have to repeat the third grade," says nine-year-old Genny Miller. "I want to go on to the fourth grade with my friends and I just want to pass it so it will be over with." The pressure is so intense it's giving some students headaches, stomachaches and other stress-related illnesses.
TfHS Virginia Science for the standards of learning for your been carefully referenced to the standards,as demonstrated instruction on fractions with teaching customary measurement http://www.tfhs.net/vascience.htm
Extractions: The Tests for Higher Standards Grade-Level Tests in the areas of Mathematics, Science, English (Reading and Writing), and History and Social Science for grades Kindergarten through eleven have been developed to help teachers focus instruction on the content and processes of the Virginia Standards of Learning. Because TfHS Grade-Level Tests closely match Virginia Standards of Learning, their value is to help teachers plan, teach, and assess, providing information about student and program strengths and weaknesses. Test Description
New Page 1 field trips to support SOL teaching and incorporating receive the same opportunitiesfor learning and achievement by holding him or her to lower standards. http://davealbo.bigstep.com/generic.jhtml?pid=41
Citzenship In The Digital Age priorities within some schools are such that teaching and learning administratorsreported that their concern for achieving standards of learning often is http://www.knowledgeway.org/works/citizenship/admingroup.html
Extractions: The purpose of the Administrator Focus Group session was to gain a greater understanding of their views on the current environment in which schools are operating, the ideal environment for undertaking a collaborative effort, and the potential challenges and opportunities in undertaking this project. A summary of the findings follows below. Current Environment The following essential themes emerged during the discussion of the current environment in which schools are operating: Key measures for success: Standards of Learning, not technological ability Performing up to state standards is a major concern for administrators. The administrators from Virginia, in particular, recently received testing information on the social studies Standards of Learning (SOLs) that indicated low performance. There was consensus among participants that performance on the SOLs would have to be addressed before any other initiatives are considered. Other districts, such as DC, use different tests that should also be reviewed, such as the Stanford-9. Sometimes state standards, such as the SOLs in Virginia, and other initiatives, such as technology integration, are seen as competing priorities within the schools. Administrators found this very frustrating. However, there was some agreement that technology might be used to help performance on the SOLs by using computers for drill exercises on social studies state test materials. These types of drills apparently are available for other subject areas.
Testing Tests The Washington Times because the system already has clear standards in place. of student learning and emphasizeteaching to the They acknowledge students are learning more but say http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20020310-14983352.htm
Mark Warner On Education While Mark supports teachers being accountable for teaching the standards of learning,and students being accountable for learning, he knows that often http://issues2002.org/Governor/Mark_Warner_Education.htm
SOL Study Links http//www.richmond.edu/academics/a s/education/solsites/ Internet resources supportingthe teaching of the Virginia standards of learning (SOL's). http://www.thoroughgoodes.vbcps.k12.va.us/sollinks.html
State Information responsible for setting the standards of learning reviewed the in which they caneffectively integrate curricula, standards, and teaching methods that http://www.nssb.org/states/virginia.htm
Extractions: Email: pwilhelm@dba.State.va.us State Skill Standards Board / Panel / Credentialing Council None at present. State Agency Responsible for Skill Standards on a Daily Basis None at present. Current State Skill Standards Legislative Measures / Policies/Initiatives None at present. Certificate of Mastery Basics Included in High School Graduation Requirements None at present. State Education Standards In 1995, Virginia adopted Standards of Learning (SOLs) in the core academic subjects of English/language arts; mathematics; science; and history/social science. SOLs are structured on a grade-by-grade and course-by-course basis. State Academic Assessments Since adoption of the Standards of Learning, Virginia has been establishing a new assessment system to measure student competencies aligned with State standards. In Spring 1998, the State began administering new SOL tests to public school students in grades 3,5, and 8 in English, mathematics, history, and social sciences.
Extractions: EDInfo Mailing List Archive Prev Next Main Index http://registerevent.ed.gov/downlink/event-flyer.asp?intEventID=140 http://www.ed.gov/G2K/community/ http://www.pen.k12.va.us . To learn more about the success of Tidewater Park, visit http://www.nps.k12.va.us/schools/tidewaterpark/index.htm , or call 757-628-2500. =========================================================== To subscribe to (or unsubscribe from) EDInfo, address an email message to: listproc@inet.ed.gov Then write either SUBSCRIBE EDINFO YOURFIRSTNAME YOURLASTNAME in the message, or write UNSUBSCRIBE EDINFO (if you have a signature block, please turn it off) Then send it! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Past EDInfo messages: http://www.ed.gov/MailingLists/EDInfo/ Search: http://www.ed.gov/MailingLists/EDInfo/search.html Past ED Initiatives: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/EDInitiatives/ Prev by Date: Notices Inviting Applications (June 15, 2001)
GeoLibrary - Websites Library Style: Resources For Teachers Bibliography The SOLAR (standards of learning and Resources at JMU Developing Educationalstandards Virginia Virginia bu grade and subject teaching the VA http://www.geocities.com/cybermediaspec/teacher.html
Extractions: GeoLibrary does not take responsibility for ads appearing here or endorse the sponsoring site. This page has links for teachers to websites that address educational issues such as SOLs, instructional delivery, testing and assessment, lesson plans, block scheduling, and websites that may have content which could be developed into lessons. Websites with general resources often are divided into specific curriculum areas, so it may be worth your time to explore them. Specific curriculum areas follow the general resources. Teachers are also encouraged to investigate the links in the Dewey area(s) appropriate to their subject(s). (If this is your first time using GeoLibrary, please read the Suggestions for using GeoLibrary . Also note that there is a website to help you determine if a work came from an Internet source General Education Resources Lesson Plans - General
Untitled Document early October, and the standards of learning were making particular, have been ambivalentabout the new standards. Dan Kent, who has been teaching history for http://www.broadrun.org/spartanonline/November/news-SOL.htm
Extractions: SOLs Provoke Mixed Feelings by Daniel Jackson, news section editor It was early October, and the Standards of Learning were making news again. According to the October 6 edition of The Washington Post, Virginia was paying nearly $1 million to advertise the SOLs on television. Many people complained that the ads were helping the senatorial bid of George Allen. Although Allen campaign workers claimed the ads were not political, Republican Governor James Gilmore stopped airing the advertisements. Whether the ads contributed to Allen's victory is debatable. The SOLs are not universally embraced by Virginians; in fact, a survey done a few months ago found that a full quarter of Virginians thought that the SOLs should be abolished entirely, with more of the opinion that the standards needed to be revised. Loudoun County Public Schools, in particular, have been ambivalent about the new standards. According to Sharon Ackerman, Loudoun County's deputy superintendent of instruction, much of the opposition to the SOLs stems from the tests given to students at the end of selected grades, and how these tests are being used. "We were first given to believe that the [test] scores would [simply] be sent back to the schools, where they would be used to make [any necessary] changes in instruction," she said. "But [the SOL tests] have been highly publicized, and people who are not getting the real details are using them to judge schools."
CEPI - Commonwealth Educational Policy Institute for Reading First grants, $52.1 million for teaching quality grants Over $1.7million is included for developing standards of learning (SOL) history http://www.edpolicyvcu.org/ga/2002/ga2002edbudgethighlight.html
Extractions: The 2002 General Assembly: EDUCATION BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS OVERVIEW While no teacher salary increases are included in the first year of the 2002-2004 budget, the spending plan provides $101.4 million in a reserve account to be used for second-year pay increases for state employees, faculty, state-supported local employees and school teachers. Legislators are expected to address the second-year salary issue during the 2003 session. An additional $2.4 million is provided for awarding first-time grants and continuing bonuses for teachers who are certified by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. Also, an additional $9.9 million in lottery proceeds in FY03 and $10.0 million in FY04 is anticipated, 60% of which pays for a portion of the state share of basic aid costs, with the remaining 40% distributed to school divisions. JLARC RECOMMENDATIONS REDUCTIONS FEDERAL FUNDING DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION E-mail Response Questions or More Information? Please
Test Usage Information Links Research, articles, and information about high stakes tests and their misuse from group opposing Virginia Category Society Issues Standardized Testing State Testing ETS Study Links Effective teaching Methods to TestScore Gain. Position Paper on theStandards of learning prepared by the Faculty of the Graduate School of http://home.rica.net/airedale/test_usage_information_links.htm
State's SOLs Pass Another Test (Pilot Online/HamptonRoads.com) improvement on other test measures has accompanied the (sols) or standards of Learningtests. Yes, Virginia must discourage teaching narrowly to a single test http://www.pilotonline.com/opinion/op0102eda.html
Extractions: Every reform has its backlash. High-stakes testing in public education is no exception. Nor should it be. The consequences are too great for states across the nation to turn to radical new models of accountability and expect that every version in every state will turn out right the first time. Assessment and revision should be constants in any reform. To that end, a broad new study performed by researchers at Arizona State University and financed by teachers unions must be considered carefully, as must other studies that are sure to follow in the years ahead. Billed as the largest study to date, the report suggests that rigorous testing linked to tough consequences does little to improve achievement and may even worsen academic performance and dropout rates. The study reviewed student performance on SAT and ACT college entrance exams and the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which is administered nationally every four years. While scores were going up, sometimes dramatically, on the high-stakes state tests, the study found that more states were slipping against the national average on the independent exams than were gaining. The conclusion of the study's authors is that ``teachers are focusing so intently on the high-stakes tests that they are neglecting other things that are ultimately more important.''
Teacher Corner of Education to provide sample resource materials and teaching strategies for toassist in their implementation of the Virginia standards of learning. http://www.poquoson.org/pes/teachercorner/
Extractions: Home Administration Area Schools Class Pages ... Student Corner Teacher Corner VA SOL Aid Awesome Library The Awesome Library organizes the Web with 14,000 carefully reviewed resources, including the top 5 percent in education. Blackboard.com Blackboard.com is a FREE service that enables instructors to add an online component to their classes, or even host an entire course on the Web. Without knowing any HTML, you can quickly create your own course Web site - a Web site that brings your learning materials, class discussions, and even tests online. Dr. Labush's Links to Learning A terrific site with links to activities, lesson plans, research in education, and more. Education World "Where Educators Go To Learn" - Searchable site. Topics include archives, administrators, books in education, curriculum, great sites, lesson planning, school issues, site reviews, special themes, teacher lessons, and technology in the classroom. Communities include: counseling, early childhood ed., higher ed., preservice ed., projects, special ed., students, and vocational ed. Hot Potatoes The Hot Potatoes suite includes six applications, enabling you to create interactive multiple-choice, short-answer, jumbled-sentence, crossword, matching/ordering and gap-fill exercises for the World Wide Web.
