Teaching with Valor A Veteran's Perspective Podcast "Mastering Formative and Summative Assessments"

Welcome back to another episode of Teaching with Valor, the podcast where we delve into the heart of educational strategies and share insights to help you become a more effective teacher. 

I'm your host, Don Fessenden. Today, we're exploring the critical topic of formative and summative assessments. These assessment types are key to understanding and supporting student learning at all levels—elementary, middle, and high school.

We’ll also include two additional segments that expand on this topic, and finish with a special bonus segment where we answer a parent question related to assessments. 

Show notes: 

These are resources for further discovery:

1. Edutopia - Formative and Summative Assessments: https://www.edutopia.org/assessment-guide-description
2. National Education Association (NEA) - Assessment and Testing: http://www.nea.org/home/34263.htm
3. Google for Education - Using Google Forms for Assessment: https://edu.google.com/teacher-center/resources/using-google-forms-for-assessment/
4. Seesaw: https://web.seesaw.me/
5. Schoology: https://www.schoology.com/
6. Edmodo: https://new.edmodo.com/

Stay tuned for more episodes, and remember, every student is unique, and every classroom can be a place where all students succeed. Keep teaching with valor!

Transcript

Don: 0:08

Welcome back to another episode of Teaching with Valor, the podcast where we delve into the heart of educational strategies and share insights to help you become a more effective teacher. I'm your host, Don Fessenden. Today, we're exploring the critical topic of formative and summative assessments. These assessment types are key to understanding and supporting student learning at all levels—elementary, middle, and high school. We’ll also include two additional segments that expand on this topic, and finish with a special bonus segment where we answer a parent question related to assessments. Let’s dive right in! First, we will look at, Formative and Summative Assessments in Elementary School. In the elementary school years, assessments play a foundational role in shaping students' learning experiences and informing instruction. Let's start by exploring how formative and summative assessments can be effectively implemented at this level. Formative assessments are informal and ongoing, providing immediate feedback that can guide teaching and learning. In Mrs. Carter’s first-grade class, she uses exit tickets at the end of each math lesson. These are quick prompts where students write or draw what they learned or any questions they still have. This allows Mrs. Carter to gauge understanding and adjust her teaching accordingly. Another effective formative assessment strategy is the use of“thumbs up, thumbs down” during lessons. Mrs. Taylor, a third-grade teacher, asks her students to signal their understanding of a concept with a simple thumbs up or down. This instant feedback helps her identify who needs more support and who is ready to move on. For summative assessments, which are typically more formal and used to evaluate overall learning at the end of an instructional period, projects and tests are common. In Mr. Johnson’s fifth-grade science class, he assigns end-of-unit projects where students create posters or models to demonstrate their understanding of topics like the water cycle or ecosystems. These projects not only assess students’ knowledge but also encourage creativity and deeper engagement with the material. End-of-term standardized tests are another form of summative assessment widely used in elementary schools. While these tests provide valuable data on student learning and school performance, it’s important to balance them with formative assessments to ensure a holistic view of student progress. Creating a balanced assessment approach that includes both formative and summative assessments helps young students build confidence and develop a strong foundation for future learning. Next, we are going to focus on, Formative and Summative Assessments in Middle School. Middle school students are transitioning from concrete to more abstract thinking, and assessments at this level need to reflect that shift. Formative assessments become more complex, and summative assessments often require higher-order thinking skills. Formative assessments in middle school can include strategies like“interactive notebooks.” Mrs. Roberts, a seventh-grade history teacher, has her students maintain interactive notebooks where they regularly write reflections, summarize lessons, and create mind maps. These notebooks are reviewed periodically, allowing Mrs. Roberts to provide targeted feedback and support. Peer assessments are another powerful formative tool. In Mr. Brown’s eighth-grade English class, students regularly review each other’s essays using a structured rubric. This not only helps them develop critical evaluation skills but also allows them to receive diverse perspectives on their work. Summative assessments in middle school often involve more extensive projects and exams. In Mrs. Martinez’s sixth-grade math class, students complete end-of-unit tests that assess their understanding of concepts like fractions and percentages. These tests are designed to challenge students and provide a comprehensive evaluation of their learning. Group projects are also popular summative assessments. In Mr. Lee’s seventh-grade science class, students work in teams to create presentations on various scientific topics. These projects assess not only their content knowledge but also their ability to collaborate and communicate effectively. Balancing formative and summative assessments in middle school helps ensure that students are not only learning content but also developing essential skills for high school and beyond. At the high school, Formative and Summative Assessments mean more. High school is a critical time for students as they prepare for college and careers. Assessments at this level need to be rigorous and varied to accurately reflect students’ knowledge and skills. Formative assessments in high school can include“Socratic seminars.” In Mr. Adams’s tenth-grade literature class, students participate in Socratic seminars where they discuss themes and characters in the novels they read. This format encourages deep thinking and active listening, and Mr. Adams can assess students’ understanding through their participation and contributions.“Formative quizzes” are another effective strategy. Mrs. Thompson, a chemistry teacher, uses quick quizzes at the beginning of each class to review previous material and gauge students’ understanding. These quizzes provide immediate feedback and help Mrs. Thompson identify areas that need further clarification. Summative assessments in high school often take the form of final exams and research papers. In Ms. Walker’s twelfth-grade history class, students write research papers on historical events, which are graded on content, analysis, and writing skills. These papers provide a comprehensive assessment of students’ learning and their ability to conduct independent research. Performance-based assessments, such as presentations and projects, are also valuable. In Mr. Garcia’s eleventh-grade physics class, students design and conduct experiments, then present their findings to the class. This type of assessment not only evaluates their knowledge but also their problem-solving and presentation skills. High school assessments should be challenging and comprehensive, helping students build the skills they need for their next steps in life. Today, most teachers are utilizing Technology to Enhance Assessments. Technology has revolutionized the way we approach assessments, offering new tools and methods to enhance both formative and summative assessments. In elementary schools, digital portfolios can be a powerful tool. Using platforms like Seesaw, students can upload their work, including written assignments, art projects, and videos of presentations. These portfolios allow teachers and parents to track progress over time and provide a holistic view of student learning. In middle schools, tools like Google Forms can be used for quick formative assessments. Teachers can create quizzes and surveys that provide instant feedback. For example, Mrs. Green uses Google Forms to conduct weekly vocabulary quizzes in her sixth-grade English class. This allows her to quickly identify which words students are struggling with and adjust her instruction accordingly. High schools can benefit from using online platforms like Edmodo or Schoology for both formative and summative assessments. These platforms allow for a variety of assessment types, including quizzes, discussions, and assignments. In Mr. Johnson’s twelfth-grade government class, students submit their research papers through Schoology, where they can receive detailed feedback and track their grades. Using technology in assessments not only makes the process more efficient but also engages students in ways that traditional methods may not. In our last segment we will look at, Differentiating Assessments for Diverse Learners. Differentiating assessments is crucial for meeting the diverse needs of students. By tailoring assessments to individual learning styles and abilities, teachers can ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed. In elementary school, Mrs. Lopez uses differentiated exit tickets. For her diverse class of second-graders, she creates different types of exit tickets based on students’ needs. Some students might draw a picture to show what they learned, while others write a sentence or two. This ensures that every student can demonstrate their understanding in a way that suits them best. In middle school, Mr. Patel incorporates choice boards in his assessments. For a science unit on ecosystems, he provides a choice board with various assessment options: students can create a diorama, write a report, or produce a short video. This allows students to choose the format that best fits their strengths and interests. High school teachers can use tiered assessments to differentiate for diverse learners. In Mrs. Davis’s eleventh-grade algebra class, she offers different levels of questions on her tests. Basic questions assess foundational knowledge, while advanced questions challenge students to apply concepts in new ways. This tiered approach ensures that all students are assessed appropriately based on their abilities. Differentiating assessments helps create an inclusive classroom environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed. And now for our special bonus segment. Today’s parent question is:“How can I support my child with their assessments?” Supporting your child with assessments is crucial for their success. Here are some practical tips: First, create a positive study environment at home. Ensure your child has a quiet, well-lit space where they can focus on their work. Limit distractions during study time to help them concentrate. Second, encourage regular review sessions. Rather than cramming the night before a test, help your child establish a routine of reviewing material regularly. This helps reinforce their learning and reduces anxiety. Third, use practice tests and quizzes. These can help your child become familiar with the format and types of questions they might encounter. It also provides an opportunity for them to practice time management skills. Fourth, stay involved in their learning. Communicate with their teachers to understand the expectations and support your child in meeting them. Attend parent-teacher conferences and keep track of their progress. Lastly, encourage a growth mindset. Help your child understand that assessments are a tool for learning and improvement, not just a measure of their ability. Celebrate their efforts and progress, and provide constructive feedback when needed. By being actively involved and supportive, you can help your child navigate assessments with confidence and success. Well, that’s all for today’s episode of Teaching with Valor. I hope you found our deep dive into formative and summative assessments insightful and useful. Remember, a balanced approach to assessments is key to understanding and supporting student learning at all levels. For more information and resources on this topic, be sure to check out the links in our show notes. Thank you for tuning in, and keep striving for excellence in your teaching practice.