Dear Geography Folks:
You may notice a new grade in the Grade-Speed on line service called “EOC Diagnostic”. The score may be troubling to you, so I’d like to explain a few points about the assessment.
1. This was an entirely asset based assessment. That is to say, all the questions included the use of a chart, a map, a graph, a quote, an image or some other type of supporting document. Our analysis of the new EOC (End of Course Exam) is that these are skills required to obtain a strong score.
2. This test was largely based on US History content, last year’s Social Studies content.
3. All standardized tests, in order to be statistically viable, are designed to distribute scores across a wide range. This allows for more accurate analysis, but is troubling for test takers and their parents. A score of 50% or so is often the average, or mean score.
4. I weighted this zero in the grade-book. It has no impact on student’s grades; I am using it to calibrate my assessments and to determine instruction going forward.
Next week, students will take another diagnostic that is not designed to create a wide range of scores. It will count for a grade.
Feel free to email me through the course web site’s contact form.
You may notice a new grade in the Grade-Speed on line service called “EOC Diagnostic”. The score may be troubling to you, so I’d like to explain a few points about the assessment.
1. This was an entirely asset based assessment. That is to say, all the questions included the use of a chart, a map, a graph, a quote, an image or some other type of supporting document. Our analysis of the new EOC (End of Course Exam) is that these are skills required to obtain a strong score.
2. This test was largely based on US History content, last year’s Social Studies content.
3. All standardized tests, in order to be statistically viable, are designed to distribute scores across a wide range. This allows for more accurate analysis, but is troubling for test takers and their parents. A score of 50% or so is often the average, or mean score.
4. I weighted this zero in the grade-book. It has no impact on student’s grades; I am using it to calibrate my assessments and to determine instruction going forward.
Next week, students will take another diagnostic that is not designed to create a wide range of scores. It will count for a grade.
Feel free to email me through the course web site’s contact form.
RSS Feed