Academic gains are the ultimate door opener – they are the foundation of a truly transformational teacher. Students make dramatic levels of academic growth (that is measurable and rigorous). Families know the level of rigor necessary for college and career readiness in the 21st century.​

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INTRODUCTION

In my classroom, I measure academic growth both quantitatively and qualitatively. By using both assessment types throughout the year, I am able to have a more holistic view of my students' growth over time. 

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In Texas, students are assessed using the STAAR, the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness. This test measures a student's understanding of the fifth grade learning standards that are outlined by the TEKS, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. The STAAR test measures a student's performance as mastering, meeting, approaching, or not meeting grade level standards. Throughout the year, I use STAAR-aligned exit tickets, quizzes, and benchmarks to prepare my students for this end-of-year test, and I share the results of mock STAAR tests with families so that they understand where their child is performing. 

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Qualitative assessment happens on a daily basis as students are thinking, talking, and writing about what we are reading. Although not all qualitative assessment looks the same--students often have choices when completing cumulative novel projects or independent research projects--one constant form of qualitative assessment is writing. My students use writing to reflect on their own opinions about a topic and to demonstrate their understanding of the novels we read. By pairing each writing assignment with a rubric, I am able to objective assess each student's understanding of the topic. 

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Please click each image below to read about how I assess my student's academic growth.