Common Assessments

Schools struggle with how to assess the students that walk through their doors. Many districts use tests such as NWEA or MAP testing.  This test is an adaptive test that moves up and down with the answers of the student, eventually leveling out their "grade level" score.  For many students this doesn't really show what they are capable of or how well they understand a topic.  Now, for teachers, there are ways to utilize the scores and build bridges for students, if they have honestly tried.  Many teachers become frustrated with the amount of testing that needs to be done.  Not only are there the regular quizzes, tests, and daily formative assessments but there are the summative assessments that are supposed to show growth, such as MAP.  In Minnesota there are also state tests called the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment  (MCA) that are taken in the spring.  Minnesota is now offering a online math test prep called the Optional Local Purpose Assessment (OLPA) to prepare for the MCA math test.  The results are only for the school/student and are to prepare for the spring MCA.
I would contend that if districts really wanted to see benefits of their teaching, they need to create common assessments that each grade level, course, and school will use.  These assessments would be used to see what is working in a classroom and what adjustments need to be made.  Teachers may continue to teach how they teach, but it will be telling if one class out performs another.  I would say changes would need to be made at that point.  The goal of this for teachers is collaboration.  Sharing what works, what doesn't, and how to become better teachers.  This in turn affects the performance of the students.
I encourage each parent, teacher, student, community member to become involved in making change at each level.  Our youth is too important to leave behind!