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Introduction to Science Assessment Literacy

Presented by the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association/County Offices of Education, California Association of Science Educators, K-12 Alliance @WestEd, California Science Project, and the California Department of Education

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Writer’s Credit

  • Anna Babarinde, Sonoma County Office of Education
  • Laura Henriques, California State University, Long Beach
  • Crystal Starr Howe, San Diego County Office of Education
  • Bret States, San Joaquin County Office of Education

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Introduction

CA NGSS PL#2 - A Coherent Assessment System

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CA NGSS PL #2 Outcomes

Build awareness of equitable NGSS assessment systems

    • Describe the elements of equitable NGSS assessments
    • Learn about a tool to screen assessments for equity and utility
    • Understand the CA assessment system continuum
    • Develop NGSS assessment literacy

Equitable Assessment Systems

Part 1

Equitable Assessment Systems

Part 2

Assessment Practices

Evaluation Tools and Resources

Assessing in Multiple Dimensions

Introduction

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Session Goals

  • Define assessment literacy
  • Share working definitions of equitable science instruction and science assessments
  • Identify why shifts in science assessment are necessary
  • Reflect on the importance of equitable assessments
  • Consider the connection between assessment and grading
  • Describe the overall CA NGSS PL #2 journey

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Community Agreements

  • Keep students at the center of the work.
  • Be present, be curious, and be open to possibilities.
  • Balance advocacy of own ideas & inquiry of others.
  • Create a safe environment for individuals to productively struggle with ideas and tools.

Are any other agreements needed?

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A Trip Down (Science Assessment) Memory Lane……

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A Trip Down (Science Assessment) Memory Lane……

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A Trip Down (Science Assessment) Memory Lane……

In breakout rooms…

What has your own experience with science assessment been?

What about this experience do you want to make sure is and/or is not part of your students’ experience?

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7 minutes

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Student Voices……

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Defining Assessment

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5 minutes

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Assessment Literacy

“Assessment literacy is defined as the knowledge about how to assess what students know and can do, interpret the results of these assessments, and apply these results to improve student learning and program effectiveness. ”

  • Norman L. Webb. 2002.

“One becomes assessment literate by mastering basic principles of sound assessment practice, coming to�believe strongly in their consistent, high-quality application in order to meet the diverse needs of all students, �and acting assertively based on those values.”

  • National Task Force on Assessment Education. 2016.

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Table 1.1. Shifts in assessment tasks required by the CA NGSS for equitable learning. (Table from the Achieve’s Task Annotation Project in Science)

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CA Coherent Assessment System

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Working Definitions

Assessment: the intentional process of gathering information about student learning to inform education-related decisions. It is anything a student will make, say, do, write, or create to demonstrate understanding of the skills, concepts, standard(s), or target(s).

Formative: a measure of ongoing learning during a specific segment (lesson, learning series, unit, etc.)

Summative: a measure of cumulative learning at the end of a specific segment (lesson, learning series, unit, etc.)

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Feedback versus Grading

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  • What things come to mind when you compare and contrast Feedback and Grading?

  • What information do students get from assessment feedback and what information do students get from grading?

  • Are your strategies for each equitable?

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Equitable Assessment

  1. Each child receives what they NEED to develop to their full academic and social potential.” - National Equity Project

  • “Equity is fair outcomes, treatment, and opportunities... ...with the aim of ensuring that all students are able to learn and thrive. - California Department of Education

  • “Educational Equity means there is no predictability of success or failure that correlates with any social or cultural factor...” - Elena Aguilar

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Equitable Assessment

In your breakout room discuss the following:

  • Share which quote stood out to you and how it relates to equitable assessment.

  • Based on our assessment definition and and these quotes, what are characteristics of equitable assessment?

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5 minutes

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Working Definitions

Equity: Providing an individual or community the varied resources and opportunities needed to create an environment that allows for outcomes for all in line with their full potential.

Equitable Assessment: The intentional process of gathering information about student learning to inform education-related decisions that provides varied opportunities in line with the different strengths, circumstances, and needs of the learners. Equitable assessments empower learners and educators to take appropriate actions to support further learning

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Student Voices revisited

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Participant Professional Learning Flow

Equitable Assessment Systems

Part 1

Equitable Assessment Systems

Part 2

Assessment Practices

Evaluation Tools and Resources

Assessing in Multiple Dimensions

Introduction

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Closing

Think back to the session goals.

How can assessment practices expand meaningful opportunities to learn science?

Session Goals

  • Build a shared understanding of features of equitable NGSS assessment
  • Analyze students’ ideas using an asset-based lens
  • Identify ways assessments and assessment practices can support equitable teaching and learning

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CA NGSS PL#2 - A Coherent Assessment System