SHEILA KING spoke of Evaluating students to DAN TRIPLETT on 11-02-96
SSK>Dan,
SK> 
SK>I share in your resent of tests insofar as they take up time that
SK>could be spent on other things. But, part of a teacher's job is to be
SK>able to assess and inform others (such as parents, or for high school
SK>students, prospective colleges) how well or how much the student has
SK>mastered in the course. Certainly, as a parent, I would want to know
SK>what my kindergartener was learning in your class. Knowing for
SK>yourself that you are accomplishing meaningful tasks in the classroom
SK>is simply not enough. Tests and evaluation and assessment are very
SK>important.  
SK>Sheila
Yes....and when I am through I appreciate the information I have because 
it helps to identify kids who are having trouble with certain concepts.  
Also it helps in planning activities.  And then when the parents ask the 
question "How is my child doing?" I can answer it with more specifics.  
Part of my resentment towards testing has to do with organization.  I 
have to have help testing because I cannot do it alone (who will watch 
the class?).  It takes up to two weeks to sit one-on-one with each 
student and gather the information.  I have developed some strategies 
that cut down on the time have some volunteers who help with the more 
time consuming stuff (like listening to each child count by rote -- when 
a child can count to 100 and beyond it's a long time!).  
I started testing today and have a great start.  I have two students who 
already know all letters/sounds and are reading many words.  Many others 
know most letters.  I rarely see this in the first reporting period.  
Take care,
Dan
--- GEcho 1.11+
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