Last one...Curriculum Design Component #4: Assessment

I have utilized my blogs during this month of May to describe the SAL model of curriculum evaluation.  I discussed three of the components of the model (objectives, design, and implementation).  This week I will wrap it up with the last component — assessment.  

There are two types of assessment: Formative and Summative Assessment

Summative assessments are given periodically to determine at a particular point in time what students know and do not know. Many associate summative assessments only with standardized tests such as state assessments, but they are also used and are an important part of district and classroom curriculums. Summative assessment at the district/classroom level is an accountability measure that is generally used as part of the grading process. The list is long, but here are some examples of summative assessments:
• State assessments (AIMS)
• District benchmark or interim assessments
• End-of-unit or chapter tests
• End-of-term or semester exams
• Scores that are used for accountability for schools (AYP) and students (report card grades).

Summative assessments happen too far down the learning path to provide information at the classroom level and to make instructional adjustments and interventions during the learning process. It takes formative assessment to accomplish this.  Assessment connects back to objectives, design and implementation. If the set learning objectives are not met, then more curriculum must be designed and implemented to get the desired assessment results — see it is all a cycle..

Formative Assessment is part of the instructional process. When incorporated into classroom practice, it provides the information needed to adjust teaching and learning while they are happening. The list is long, but here are some examples of formative assessments:
• Thumbs up and Thumbs down
• Using white boards for quiz bowl
• Red/green cards (yes/no, turn/false)
• Classroom observation of guided practice
• Short quiz

Both formative and summative evaluation will assist the teacher in knowing if the curriculum was understood and learned by the students. Formative evaluation takes place during the course of the unit and checks to see that the delivery tactics of the content information are suitable for the students. For instance, if a movie is shown as an introduction of a new topic, a formative assessment would be given to assess the educational versus entertainment value of the movie. Summative evaluation is more content related. This may be a quiz, test, writing prompt, or classroom discussion. The summative, post assessment, evaluation checks the understanding of the content material learned.

In summary, a key idea to remember about curriculum is that often someone other than the creator is expected to utilize it.  Therefore, there should be objectives, activities and planning in design, various implementation ideas, and multiple assessments included with in the framework of the curriculum to ensure its effectiveness.