Using Assessment Data to Improve Teaching and Learning
Much pressure has been put on educators to improve their students' standardized test scores and overall achievement levels. Research has shown that by learning how to analyze assessment data teachers can improve instructional practice. Frequent assessment is a powerful tool for quickly identifying and addressing student's specific needs. Below are ten ways in which assessment data can be used to improve teaching and learning:
- Pinpoint objectives and skills that need to be covered more thoroughly
- Identify grade level skills that students may or may not have mastered
- Select student text
- Assist teachers in planning flexible groups
- Group students for guided or intensive instruction
- Help determine which students need more instruction of or more of a challenge
- Monitor students' learning over time
- Adjust instruction to insure all students achieve success
- Help teachers to provide timely and effective interventions to meet individual learning needs of students
- Pinpoint areas where teachers can use more support and staff development