I looked through my year end test scores from last year and almost cried. But I didn't. Everyone in our state did poorly. Not a surprise from a new, tougher, different kind of test. I realized it was the first time the test was given and that was a benchmark for the student and for me to start from and build upon. Time to get to work.
Test had been, and always will be, the thorn in teachers sides... if we let it. It can become the knowledge that helps us progress as teachers. It can also be the knowledge that helps students take ownership of their own learning.
So, I handed the scores to my fifth graders and we dug into what they mean and how it affects them as a person. We talked about progress. We talked about explaining the scores to their parents. We talked about setting goals so their parents would understand the full plan of what we are doing. We talked about how to show exactly what they know and not less. We discussed all this information as to make them more accountable for their work.
I feel sharing all the data we have with students will give them a better picture of who they are and how to go about using the education we are providing for them. So I share. Everything.
We are getting ready for parent conferences in a couple weeks. We have talked about the students taking on he role as conference leader to show and explain what we are doing and how they are doing as a student. Not just in my class, but as a student overall. I hope to give students more power over their education. Controlling the conference will students the chance to talk with their parents about how they are doing. More communication. More ownership. Using data to build strengths and work on weaknesses. The more they know, the more they can control their own outcome.
