EDPS 890B

1. EDPS 890B Mini-Project #5 “Assessment in the Key of Life”

2. Goal of Project • Review of article on assessment from class website • Voicing opinions largely mattering only to myself.

3. Material • “A Lapse in Standards: Linking Standards-Based Reform with Student Achievement” • Phi Delta Kappan • October, 2000 • Bill Nave, Edward Miech, Frederick Mosteller

4. Statement • “Little empirical evidence supports or refutes the existence of a causal link between standards and enhanced student learning.”(128)

5. Types of Standards • 1. Content Standards • 2. Performance Standards • 3. Opportunity-to-learn Standards

6. Content Standards • Define specific subject matter that students are expected to master.

7. Performance Standards • 1. How students will demonstrate mastery. • 2. The degree of mastery expected. • 3. Proportion of students expected to perform at or above.

8. Empirical Evidence for Reform • Modest Study • One teacher • Three classes • A few weeks duration.

9. Possible Mechanisms Linking Standards and Achievement • Five theories of action about how standards might improve student achievement.

10. Theory One • Use ambitious, uniform expectations to inspire students to achieve at higher levels.

11. Theory Two • Use ambitious, uniform expectations to inspire teachers to believe that their students can achieve at higher levels.

12. Theory Three • Use a big stick to wake up and challenge unmotivated students. • Cautions?

13. Theory Four • Use a big stick to wake up and challenge unmotivated teachers. • Cautions?

14. Theory Five • Use a collaborative process when setting standards to increase stakeholder investment in improving teaching and learning.

15. Conclusions? • No research base, yet? • Perceptions that “old ways” weren’t working. • “lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way!” • Pascal’s wager if perceptions are correct.