Teachers Perspectives of One States' Alternate (Portfolio) Assessment System: A Closer Look

Teachers Perspectives of One States' Alternate (Portfolio) Assessment System: A Closer Look
Author: Shannon D. Buford
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2014
Genre:
ISBN:

Since the reauthorization of IDEA (1997), educators have faced the challenges of creating access to the general curriculum and participation in statewide assessment systems for all students, including those with significant cognitive disabilities unable to participate in typical statewide assessments. The results of reviewed literature indicate that in order to improve the practices of alternate assessments, it is important to understand teachers' perspectives about alternate assessments because teachers' beliefs directly influence their implementation of alternate assessments in their classrooms. The purposes of this study were to examine (a) perspectives, self-reported classroom practices, and concerns of special education teachers who implement the alternate portfolio assessment (APA) system; (b) special education teachers perceived benefits of the APA system; and (c) special education teachers' specific suggestions for improving the APA system. In addition, (d) an analysis between Kentucky and Mississippi was performed using independent t-tests to see if any statistical difference existed between the states on four specific survey items. A survey instrument was used to gather these data from a sample of special educators who had experience with this alternate assessment system. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviations) were used to analyze the survey data. In addition, answers to specific open-ended questions were presented to further enrich the quantitative data provided by teachers. Lastly, independent t-tests were performed to investigate if any statistically significant differences existed between Mississippi and the state of Kentucky on four specific survey items (see Table 11). Overall results revealed that teachers hold a negative perspective of the APA system, Findings suggested that the APA is not fully meeting the complex needs of their students, and highlighted the curricular tensions between academics and functional life skills. The teachers tended to agree that students should be included in the state accountability system, but were not fully convinced of the educational benefits to their students. Results from the independent t-test revealed a statistically significant difference between means of two survey items (t = 5.0356, p

Flip the System US

Flip the System US
Author: Michael Soskil
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 178
Release: 2020-10-29
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1000213803

This powerful and honest book uncovers how we can flip the system, building a more democratic, equitable, and cohesive society where teacher expertise drives solutions to education challenges. Editor Michael Soskil brings together a team of diverse voices to highlight solutions, spark positive change, and show us the path forward towards a more civil and more peaceful America. In each chapter, inspiring educators describe how we can create lasting and meaningful change by elevating teacher expertise; educating the whole child; increasing teacher morale; and fighting for all of our children to have equitable opportunity and quality schools.

Assessing Reading 1: Theory and Practice

Assessing Reading 1: Theory and Practice
Author: Colin Harrison
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 225
Release: 2002-01-04
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1134751281

This book, along with its companion volume Assessing Reading 2: Changing Practice in Classrooms, was originally conceived as the major outcome from an international seminar on reading assessment held in England. It focuses particularly on theoretical and methodological issues, though with a clear series of links to practices in assessment, especially state and national approaches to classroom-based assessment in the USA, the UK and in Australia, at both primary and secondary levels. Chapters offer new perspectives on the theories that underlie the development and interpretation of reading assessments, national assessments and classroom-based assessment, challenging readers to think in different ways.

Alternate Assessment

Alternate Assessment
Author: Harold L. Kleinert
Publisher: Brookes Publishing Company
Total Pages: 276
Release: 2001
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN:

Alternate assessments are now mandated for students unable to participate in large-scale educational assessments. Aimed at educational professionals, this work presents specific strategies for implementing alternate assessments - including electric portfolio assessments and keyboard overlays for students to record responses - and evaluating student abilities in multiple settings. daily instruction to raise the level of achievement for students with special needs and ensure that they have access to the general curriculum. Photocopiable forms and tables are included for helping and evaluating student progress.

Testing Teacher Candidates

Testing Teacher Candidates
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 472
Release: 2001-10-19
Genre: Education
ISBN: 0309171067

Americans have adopted a reform agenda for their schools that calls for excellence in teaching and learning. School officials across the nation are hard at work targeting instruction at high levels for all students. Gaps remain, however, between the nation's educational aspirations and student achievement. To address these gaps, policy makers have recently focused on the qualifications of teachers and the preparation of teacher candidates. This book examines the appropriateness and technical quality of teacher licensure tests currently in use, evaluates the merits of using licensure test results to hold states and institutions of higher education accountable for the quality of teacher preparation and licensure, and suggests alternatives for developing and assessing beginning teacher competence. Teaching is a complex activity. Definitions of quality teaching have changed and will continue to change over time as society's values change. This book provides policy makers, teacher testers, and teacher educators with advice on how to use current tests to assess teacher candidates and evaluate teacher preparation, ensuring that America's youth are being taught by the most qualified candidates.

The Oxford Handbook of School Psychology

The Oxford Handbook of School Psychology
Author: Melissa A. Bray
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 915
Release: 2011
Genre: Education
ISBN: 0199348405

The Oxford Handbook of School Psychology focuses on significant issues, new developments, and scientific findings that influence current research and practice in the ever-growing field of school psychology.

International Handbook of Educational Evaluation

International Handbook of Educational Evaluation
Author: T. Kellaghan
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 1050
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9401003092

Thomas Kellaghan Educational Research Centre, St. Patrick's College, Dublin, Ireland Daniel L. Stufflebeam The Evaluation Center, Western Michigan University, Ml, USA Lori A. Wingate The Evaluation Center, Western Michigan University, Ml, USA Educational evaluation encompasses a wide array of activities, including student assessment, measurement, testing, program evaluation, school personnel evalua tion, school accreditation, and curriculum evaluation. It occurs at all levels of education systems, from the individual student evaluations carried out by class room teachers, to evaluations of schools and districts, to district-wide program evaluations, to national assessments, to cross-national comparisons of student achievement. As in any area of scholarship and practice, the field is constantly evolving, as a result of advances in theory, methodology, and technology; increasing globalization; emerging needs and pressures; and cross-fertilization from other disciplines. The beginning of a new century would seem an appropriate time to provide a portrait of the current state of the theory and practice of educational evaluation across the globe. It is the purpose of this handbook to attempt to do this, to sketch the international landscape of educational evaluation - its conceptual izations, practice, methodology, and background, and the functions it serves. The book's 43 chapters, grouped in 10 sections, provide detailed accounts of major components of the educational evaluation enterprise. Together, they provide a panoramic view of an evolving field.