Best+Practices+for+Classroom+Assessments

Authentic assessment has various meanings. According to O’Malley, authentic assessments can be defined as, the procedures for evaluating student achievement or performance, usually based on various sources of evidence. Authentic assessment can also be described as “multiple forms of assessment that are consistent with classroom goals, curricula, and instruction” (p 2). Performance assessment, portfolios, and student assessments are examples of authentic assessments. Assessments are used for six purposes with English Language Learner (ELL) students: screening and identification, placement, reclassification or exit, monitoring student progress, program evaluation, and accountability (p 3).

According to Gottlieb, assessments can be defined as “the systematic, iterative process of planning, collecting, analyzing, reporting, and using student data from a variety of sources over time.” (p 185) Hughes defines assessment as a formative process used to monitor progress. Afterwards, the results can be useful to modify lesson plans and offer students feedback. (p 5) Fill-in the bubble and multiple choice tests are not effective in measuring students’ progress. These types of tests do not offer teachers input for future lesson plans. A wide range of assessments is needed to paint accurate pictures of a student’s success.

Several types of assessments are available for teachers to use with many advantages, such as, constructed response items, which include a student-produced written report and project and exhibitions, which can improve student’s speaking skills and abilities. Teachers should use a wide variety of authentic assessments during instruction.

**Assessing English Language Learners: Bridges From Language Proficiency to Academic Achievement by Dr. Margo Gottlieb ** **Testing for Language Teachers (Cambridge Language Teaching Library) by Arthur Hughes ** **Authentic Assessment for English Language Learners: Practical Approaches for Teachers by J. Michael O'Malley **  10 Authentic Assessments 

**10 authentic Assessments: ** **1. Cloze Tests-This type of test can generally reflect overall comprehension. Teachers can use the method of creating blanks for a number of words based on the current curricula and book/story that is being presented. ** **2. Think-Alouds-This informal assessment emphasizes vocabulary and it activates prior knowledge. This is one of the easiest ways to assess students because of the use of probing questions there are no wrong answers. ** **3. Reading Logs-When students keep track of the quantity of books read, they are held accountable to reaching their goal. Also, it allows the student the opportunity to see if they are being challenged by their book selection. ** **4. Self-Assessment – This assessment must be taught with repetition so students can understand the benefits and learn the proper way of self assessing. ** **5. Portfolios – This type of assessment can be done with the student’s involvement and input to collect works for presentation to peers, special audience and parents. Portfolios reflect learning with regards to instructional objectives. ** **6. ****<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24pt;">Teacher observations – For ELL’s this type of assessment allows the teacher to document student’s strengths/weaknesses to develop valid instruction. Teachers must record observations and revisit notes for accuracy in instruction. ** **<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24pt;">7. ****<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24pt;">Retelling – This assessment allows students to retell a story or passage in their own words. This will allow an oral response which can be rated based on the description of answers from probing questions asked by the teacher. ** **<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24pt;">8. ****<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24pt;">Picture-cued Description or Stories - This type of assessment would be beneficial for beginning and intermediate students. Students can give information and descriptions of pictures with no prior knowledge or preparation. Teacher must remember to use pictures free of cultural bias. ** **<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24pt;">9. ****<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24pt;">Literature Discussion Groups – These student directed, teacher guided discussions are good assessments for reading books/passages. Students can get involved by creating the questions and participating in discussions that will develop language proficiency and boost self-esteem. ** **<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24pt;">10. ****<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24pt;">Peer Assessment – This writing assessment allows students the opportunity to assess classmates. Allowing students to edit and offer opinions can give students insight on how to make corrections prior to handing in final works. **

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