Grade Weights
Math Teachers met 10/21/15 to discuss, and finalize, the weights for our report card categories. We agreed to the following:55% - Classwork (Includes workshop, menu, and investigative tasks)
40% - Assessments (Includes mid & end of unit assessments and performance tasks)
5% - Homework
We were comfortable increasing classwork to 55% because it is comprised of independent tasks completed in math workshop in addition to collaborative tasks (menu & investigations). This should provide a balance in that category.
Curriculum Guide - Additional Performance Tasks
Math Teachers expressed a need for additional assessments (that can be graded) in the curriculum guides. We discussed not wanting to spend too much instructional time on these additional assessments. In response, we will include additional short (15 minute) performance tasks in future curriculum guides. These will included in place of a number talk at strategic points in the unit (after a concept or skill has been taught for mastery). We still must complete a minimum of 3 number talks per week.
Online Assessments on Achievement Series
As we continue to transition to administering our unit assessments on Achievement Series, here are a couple of things to remember:
- If you provide a paper copy, please do not have students use this in isolation, and enter their data later. This will not prepare them for an authentic online testing experience (which they will have with ACT Aspire in the spring).
- If you provide the paper copy, please do that in addition to having them work on the computer. This should be done simultaneously, i.e., they work a problem on the paper copy, then enter the response on the computer; and then, they move on to the next problem. This provides a better simulation of an online testing experience, and reduces the number of "data entry" errors (that commonly occur when done in isolation).
Once all students in the grade level have taken the online assessment, this data should be briefly analyzed in CAD. CAD leaders please let me know when all tests have been administered, and I will run the grade level report and send to you. This is a way for us to analyze the effectiveness of our unit of study.
As always, if you need any help with this please let me know.
