In the News and Observer on Sunday the frontpage article was about how the NCLB assessment systems have created a culture of low level learning and also created a silent epidemic around gifted or advanced students. They also coined a new term No Child Allowed Ahead. As I was reading this article I was reflecting on the work of Dr. Hersch around creating a 21st Century assessment. His work asks students to use multiple resources and documents to answer six questions that range from comprehension to creativity. Students have an hour and a half to complete the digital assessment and it is scored using a rubric that is steeped in research about critical thinking.
One piece that I would like to see added would be the ability for students to collaborate and then produce some answers based on their collaboration. I have not seen anything that comes close to this type of assessment and I think he is on the right track. The price is a little steep right now, but I discussed this with him last week and he is trying to partner with someone to utilize artifical intelligence to lower the price of administration.
What are your thoughts about a test worth teaching to? What components would you include? Are we creating a culture of No Child Allowed Ahead?
Adam is responsible for oversight of Pearson’s technology integration and national professional development program. A former elementary school teacher, Adam has presented at conferences across the country, including Alan November’s conferences and has written articles on technology integration for several education publications. He has been a national consultant on school reform, technology integration, and teaching and learning for seven years. Over the past four years he has provided professional development or managed the implementation of professional development for some of the biggest one-to-one laptop initiatives in the country, including Henrico County and the state of Texas TIP program.
Adam received a BA in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida, a Master’s in Teaching and Learning with a Technology emphasis from Framingham State College, and has a Certificate in Administration and Supervision from Johns Hopkins University.
I love the idea behind the 21st Century Assessment, particularly for gifted students!!! Unfortunately, we've moved from that to text book driven instruction & "teach to the test" pathways, with the system counting on gifted students to test well, thus contributing positively to AYP! ...virtually no support, just wanting their brains! I think our mantra has changed to "What do we want the average student to know and be able to do?"
Post new comment