Rebecca Portillo

Philosophy of Assessment
I believe assessment is a goal-oriented process that becomes a vehicle for
educational improvement. They are not just purposeful for students in determining
their strengths and weaknesses, but also for the teachers who, through assessment,
are provided with information for instructional grouping, identification of
instructional needs, and an evaluation on the effectiveness of their teaching
strategies. Due to the fact 21
st
century students typically possess a broad spectrum
of abilities, skills, and knowledge, assessments should focus on all the key areas of
student learning and development. These developments include, core academics,
intellectual ability, the arts, social responsibility, and physical fitness.
Multiple types of assessment can be used to determine the progress of
students. In my classroom, formative assessment will be praised and implemented.
Formative assessments that are both informal and formal provide students with the
best feedback on their ongoing process. I will provide a way for my students to
realize the development they are making as the class progresses. Data notebooks
will be used as a visual representation of formative assessment results. In order for
the students to believe they are doing well, they have to see it. I will also use
summative assessment, but this does not mean the students learning and
improvement will end. In order for a unit of criteria to transition into a new unit, a
complete evaluation of the students abilities must be made. Even though that final
grade is there, say, for a presentation or essay that does not mean the students time
to improve on the subject has disappeared. As a teacher, it will be my job to work
with the student and adapt to their needs in order for them to successfully
understand what is being taught. That teaching will not end even when the unit
does.
Alan November and Rafe Esquith have brilliant beliefs on the purpose of
assessment that I will implement in my classroom environment. Both of these men
believe that students learn best from each other. Through multiple exercises
including student collaboration, I will strive for my students to discover that helping
one another will allow them to gain confidence in the abilities they possess, and
improve their skills that need work. Mr. November believes that technology is
becoming a core aspect of the 21
st
century classroom. My classroom will hold the
best possible technology I can obtain for it. . My students will have access to their
assessment progress at a moments notice through technology. Rubrics will be
provided on my personal classroom website, as well as the course schedule,
upcoming assignments, and much more. This information will explain to my
students how their grades are weighed, which will be done by level of importance,
but always appropriately. I want to be able to provide my students with all the
information they need to perform to their best ability in my classroom, and
technology will help with that.
Through Rafe Esquith, I learned it is better for your students to trust you,
rather then to fear you. I want my students to realize my intentions are in their best
interest, and that I can be depended on. If they suffer from any disability, I want
them to understand I will adapt my lessons, my way of teaching, and my
assessments in order for them to achieve and perform to the best of their abilities.
They want to learn just like everyone else, so taking the extra time to adapt a test or
locate a textbook that this type of student would benefit from is necessary. Without
assessment, the lessons learned in a classroom environment do not have much
meaning. I do not, however, want my students to break down mentally from the
stress assessments can provide. I want them to realize, regardless of their outcomes,
I will be proud of them if they are striving for success. My job is to lead them to
success. If they trust and depend on my abilities, and realize they have the potential
to accomplish anything they desire, I can provide them with the guidance they will
need to look a test in the eye, and receive the best possible grade. My students will
progress positively in the classroom, and my assessment techniques will be the
visual proof of their achievement.