Differences Between Informal and Formal Assessment
Informal- refers to a way of measuring a specific students knowledge based on their average performance in the classroom.
Formal- Refers to a way of measuring a students knowledge based on the criteria given of a subject (grading system based)
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A good time to use these two different types of assessments are before and after a learning objective or common core standard has been taught in a lesson plan. The "Pretest" or Informal assessment should measure their priod knowledge and should only be used to gage where that student stands with that learning target. The "summative" assessment is the formal test in which it measures the students complete knowledge after studying that target in class. Both are used hand in hand to measure the growth a student has in a certain subject.
Examples of Assessment Tools
Assessment tools are used to monitor student progress and get a data recorded basis on where their they stand in a certain subject, intervention plan, or strategy.
Types of Assessment-
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rubrics
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essays
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projects
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reports
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presentations
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surveys
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focus groups
Progress Monitoring
Progress monitoring is a scientifically based practice that is used to evaluate a students acedemic acheivement and decide whether their intervention or educational plan is developing at the rate in which the child is progressing.
The purpose of Progress Monitoring is to ensure that a student with disabilities cognitive or otherwise is making advances in their learning. It is important for educators to stay in line with this process as it can have an impact on a child IEP.
Different Observation Data Collection
Frequency, Event, and Rate
This is the number of times a behavior will happen in a specific time period. This tool also is used for behaviors that have a strict beginning and a clear end. A specific time NOT to use this technique is when a behavior is recurring at a rate that is extensive and impossible to keep track of.
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Task initiation
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Inappropriate sitting/standing
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Correct and incorrect academic responses
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Tardiness
Duration
This tool is used to collect the length of time the behavior persists. Use of this tool is specific when there is a clear beginning and end of behavior. Do not use this tool when the behavior persists frequently and starts and stops often.
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Staying on task, following directions, writing, reading, working on assignments, etc.
Interval Data Collection
This tool is used to decide whether a behavior happened during a specific time period. Time is divided up between intervals and then at the end and beginning of each interval you note whether the behavior occurred or not.
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When behavior occurs at high rate.
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When behavior is hard to keep track of amount of times it occurred.
Time Sampling Recording
Use this when recording smaller units of time within intervals. When behavior occurs at high rate. Looking at the student after a short amount of time and checking to see if the behavior is occurring at that exact moment or not.
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Talking
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On task/ Off task behavior
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Screaming
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In/Out of seat
HLP's
Use multiple sources of information to develop comprehensive understanding of students strengths and needs.
HLP #4
Interpret and communicate assessment information with stakeholders to collaboratively design and implement educational programs.
HLP #5
Use student assessent data, analyze instructional practice and make necessary adjustments that improve student outcomes.
HLP #6
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