Accountability in Developing Student Learning

Dr. Carlo MagnoCenter for Learning and Assessment Development - Asiacrlmgn@yahoo.com

Leadership and Learning

Quality of instructional leadership facilitates quality instruction in schools.

Quality instruction contributes to student learning

Student Achievement in the Philippines Trends in International Mathematics

and Science Survey (TIMSS) National Achievement Test Dropout rates in public schools

Roles of the Instructional leader Prioritizing

Decades of research confirm that those principals who place academics as a priority experience increased student achievement (Bartell, 1990; Cotton, 2000; Johnson & Asera, 1999; Short & Spencer, 1990).

With instructional improvement at the top of that prioritized list, principals have the power to organize so that those main concerns (i. e., improved primary grade reading instruction, are addressed).

Principals can arrange instructional schedules Set aside time for grade-level teams to meet Provide released time for teachers to attend professional

development Monitor progress and implementation to ensure that

scientifically based instruction implemented schoolwide.

Roles of the Instructional leader Aligning

Principals must impart upon teachers the importance of aligning curriculum, instruction, and assessment to the standards.

The principal must also guide teachers in effective alignment practices.

Study groups or departmental meetings can be established with the expectation that teachers will work together: ▪ to interpret the standards, ▪ study the scope and sequence of the curriculum, ▪ share effective instructional strategies, ▪ examine released assessment items, ▪ analyze student work to determine instructional effectiveness.

Standards-Based

Align the kind of items you write based on given standards.

Example 1: Constructive alignment Classify materials based on its ability to

absorb water, float, sink, undergo decay Item: Which of the following materials will

float in water? A. Styrofoam B. foam C. metal D. glass

Example 2: Constructive Alignment Demonstrate proper disposal of waste

according to the properties of its materials Performance task Final Output: A slide show with illustrations

showing proper disposal of materials. Task: Take a photo on how to properly

dispose the following materials: plastic bottles, food scrap, papers. Present the picture in class and explain the procedure.

Criteria: Accuracy of disposal procedure, ability to explain, clarity of illustrations

Matching Items with Criterion Item Instruction: Indicate whether the matching of the

objective and item is suitable. 1. Objective: Given a performance of an instrumental or

vocal melody containing a melodic or rhythmic error, and given the score for the melody, be able to point out the error.

Criterion item: The instructor will play the melody of the attached musical score on the piano and will make an error either in rhythm or melody. Raise your hand when the error occurs.

  Is the item Suitable? ___ Yes

____ No ____Can’t tell

Matching Items with Criterion Item 2. Objective: Given mathematical equations

containing one unknown, be able to solve for the unknown.

Criterion Item: Sam weighs 97 kilos. He weighs 3.5 kilos more than Barrey. How much does Barry weigh?

  Is the item Suitable? ___ Yes

____ No ____Can’t tell

Matching Items with Criterion Item 3. Objective: Be able to demonstrate

familiarity with sexual anatomy and physiology

Criterion Item: Draw and label a sketch of the male and female reproductive systems.

  Is the item Suitable? ___ Yes

____ No ____Can’t tell

Matching Items with Criterion Item 4. Objective: Given any one of the computers in our

product line, in its original carton, be able to install and adjust the machine, preparing it for use. Criteria: The machine shows normal indication, and the area is free of debris and cartons

Criterion item: Select one of the cartons containing one of our model XX computers, and install it for the secretary in Room 45. Make sure it is ready for use and the area is left clean. 

Is the item Suitable? ___ Yes____ No ____Can’t tell

Matching Items with Criterion Item 5. Objective: When given a set of paragraphs

(that use words within your vocabulary), some of which are missing topic sentences, be able to identify the paragraph without topic sentences.

Criterion Item: Turn to page 29 in your copy of Silas Marner. Underline the topic sentence of each paragraph on that page.

  Is the item Suitable? ___ Yes

____ No ____Can’t tell

Roles of the Instructional leader Assessing The principal plays a key role in selection of schoolwide

assessment instruments. The administration, scoring, reporting, and appropriate use

of assessment data should be stressed by the school leader as a critical element of increased student achievement.

Principals should regularly analyze student achievement data to inform decisions regarding policy, programs, and professional development.

Teachers may need guidance to effectively administer, score, interpret, and analyze the data and also to utilize the data in making instructional changes.

The principal is responsible for ensuring that the teachers receive the guidance they require.

What should assessment be like? Assessment needs to be based on

specific competencies in order to help teachers and students work on the skill What skill is the student weak at? What skills can be done? What will be the implication of weak and

poor skills on teachers planning

Assessment ResultsLearning Competencies of Grade 3 in English Score Percent

correct for the level

1. Note details regarding character, setting and plot 1 70.972. Note details regarding character, setting and plot 0 22.583. Sequence 3 events 0 6.454. Distinguish fact from opinion 0 16.139. Identify cause and effect 0 25.8110. Distinguish sentences from non-sentences 0 35.4811. Distinguish declarative from an interrogative sentence 0 32.2613. Use proper punctuation for declarative and interrogative sentences 1

29.0314. Use proper punctuation for declarative and interrogative sentences 1

41.9415. Identify an exclamatory sentence 0 25.8116. Identify an imperative sentence 0 22.5817. Use nouns (e.g. people, animals, places,, things events) in simple sentences

045.16

18. Use common and proper nouns 1 58.06

Assessment for learning

How do we use assessment results to help students learn better?

Assessment is used to determine: What students can do and cannot do.. What students know and do not know.. Misconceptions of students Confusion

Provide teachers information on what to do next to bring students forward in their learning

Assessment Competencies of teachers

Using assessment results to make decisions about: Individual student Planning for instruction Planning the curriculum School improvement

Using externally produced tests

Results are made public with greater accountability

Performance are based on national and international standards

Ascertain that the assessment task is aligned with the needed standards

Organizing the assessment results

Looking at the school result

Looking at the level result per per subject

Looking at the class result per subject

Looking at individual total scores per subject area

Looking at the competencies of a subject for each class

Looking at the competencies of a subject for each student

We can think of more intervention, the more specific the results are

Roles of the Instructional leader Monitoring Monitoring will ensure that the school’s curriculum is

implemented with fidelity and that any instructional changes actually occur driven by data.

Once data are analyzed and the school staff understands what implications the data have for instruction, instructional decisions are made.

The principal follows up by asking questions, visiting classrooms, and reviewing subsequent data to guarantee instructional changes are occurring and progress is being made.

Principals should follow the advice of the old adage, “Don’t expect what you don’t inspect.”

If instructional changes are not inspected, leaders should not expect improvements.

Monitoring: Organizing assessment results Align the competencies in the test to

the competencies in the syllabus Competencies in the test and not

present in the syllabus needs to be added

Indicate the percent of students with correct answer.

Plan the time for competencies with low percentage

Example of map for English Grade 1

Listening Comprehension Days

Viewing Comprehension

Vocabualry Development

Days

Literature

Writing and Composition Oral Language

Days

note important details pertaining to (66%) 4i X X X

a. character

b. setting

c. events

Use/Respond appropriately to polite expressions 3i

x

Use words that are related to self, family, school, community, and concepts such as the names for colors, shapes, and numbers 4 x x

Listening Comprehension Days

Viewing Comprehension

Vocabualry Development Days Literature

Writing and Composition

Oral Language Days

2. Give the correct sequence of three events 5i X x x 3. Infer the character feelings and traits (80%) 5i x x

Use/Respond appropriately to polite expressions 5i

x x

Talk about oneself and one's family 2i

4. Identify cause and/or effect of events (49%) 7i x x x

Points to reflect on low marks

How do I improve the quality of instruction in my school?

How much time do teachers need for students to attain mastery?

Did my teachers prepare assessment tasks tapping directly the needed competencies?

Did the teachers look at the national curriculum to guide then in formulating the learning plans?

Interventions

Intentional Teaching – teach directly the competencies needed for the future assessment

Assessment for learning – use assessment results to help students

Use formative assessment Feedback Create similar assessment tasks in the

classroom Supervising curriculum and assessment

Intentional teaching

Devote time on essential skills that are indicated in the standards (teaching is aligned with standards)

Established success criteria Use a subject-matter budget to see

how many standards can be mastered within a quarter

Intentional teaching

How assessment for learning help you teach? Start with student friendly targets Models of strong and weak work Continous descriptive feedback Teach self-assessment and goal

setting Teach one facet at a time Teach focused revision Teach self-reflection to track growth

Using Formative AssessmentMake

learners aware of the learning goal

Determine current

status of students

Move students

closer to the goals

How is Assessment FOR Learning done? Understanding and articulating targets in

advance of teaching/learning (formative Assessment)

Informing students about learning goals in terms that students understand, from the very beginning of the teaching and learning process (Formative Assessment)

Becoming assessment literate and able to transform expectations into assessment exercises and scoring procedures that accurately reflect student achievement

How is Assessment FOR Learning done?

Using classroom assessment to build students’ confidence in themselves as learners and help them take responsibility for their own learning

Translating classroom assessment results into frequent descriptive feedback, providing students with specific insights as to how to improve

Continuously adjusting instruction based on the results of classroom assessment

Feedback

Given after students complete a task

• After seat works, exercises, drill, board work, demonstration

Given while students are conducting the task

• While students are writing, reminders, giving cues, rechecking, point out the error, retell the criteria

Characteristics of Effective Feedback

1. Relates Student Performance to learning goals.2. Help students with the strategies needed to meet the learning goals.3. Tells Student Progress (i.e. beginning, developing, advanced) 4. Given Frequently and Immediately5. Is Specific and Descriptive6. Focuses on Key Errors (i.e. what when wrong)7. Acknowledges Student Efforts

Characteristics of Effective Praise

Praise can be helpful to students if it draws attention to student progress and performance in relation to standards.

“Praise + Feedback Formula” Praise is most effective when it is

delivered as a spontaneous but accurate message.

No more biting around the bush, praise them directly!

Creating similar tasks

Prepare assessment tasks in advance Diagnostic Formative Summative

Assessment tasks are directly aligned with the competencies and standards.

Formative and summative assessment needs to be parallel

Supervising Curriculum and Assessment School leaders are accountable on

quality of instruction in the school Ensures that competencies are

delivered and developed Observes and monitors instuction

Roles of the Instructional leader Learning As the school leader works to improve student

achievement, the principal collaborates with teachers on alignment, instruction, and assessment issues;

Offers constructive feedback and support to teachers. Principals have an obligation to be well informed about

the professional development teachers are receiving. Providing teachers time for professional growth and

personally attending those professional development sessions reinforces the principal’s conviction in the positive aspects of a continuous learning environment.

The Professional Learning Community Driving the initiative, followed by

inevitable implementation problems, the conclusion that the reform has failed to bring about the desired results, abandonment of the reform, and the launch of a new search for the next promising initiative.

Big Idea 1: Ensure that students learn Big idea 2: A culture of collaboration Big Idea 3: Focus on Results

Creating my leadership testament What do I need to commit to ensure

student learning in my school?

What should I do to promote better student achievement in my school?