Learning Community for Teachers
Assessment and learning are synonymous in the multilevel
classroom.
Effective assessment
- engages learners in the assessment
process
(782 KB) - describes what learners can do
- informs instruction
(115 KB) - provides meaningful feedback to learners
(454 KB)
- communicates student learning to parents
- celebrates learning
(1.13 MB)
Formative Assessment
Formative assessment is integral
to student success in the multilevel classroom.
Observation is the primary assessment method. 
When planning for
instruction and assessment, multilevel classroom teachers
think about how to
(115 KB)
- target two or three learning outcomes
- focus on two or three students
- plan to observe in a variety of
learning contexts
- construct student-generated criteria
-
(475 KB)
- record what they see and hear
- reflect on learners' strengths
and offer feedback for improvement
(782 KB)
- guide and/or facilitate goal setting
- develop a continuum of learning for differentiation and reporting
Other formative assessment methods/tools include
- strategic instruction
- conferences
- performances and/or products
- written tasks
- quizzes
- developmental continua
- learning logs
- portfolios
Summative Assessment
Summative assessment communicates and celebrates the learning that takes place in the multilevel classroom at the end of a unit, theme, or term.
Performance tasks and/or products are effective means of assessing multiple learning outcomes from various curricula and across a wide age-range of learners. When planning for instruction and assessment, teachers think about how to
- target knowledge, skills and strategies, and attitudinal learning outcomes
- facilitate the revision of student-generated
criteria
- guide or facilitate the development of rubrics for summative assessment from the student-generated criteria (Grades 6 to 8)
- observe processes and products
- synthesize formative and summative assessment information
- report learning and progress to
the partners in the multilevel learning
community
- report learning in relation to grade-level "benchmarks" at the end of a term or at the end of the school year
Other summative assessment methods/tools include
- portfolios
- developmental continua
- student-led conferences
- action plans
- report cards
