Classroom Testing and Assessment for ALL Students: Beyond Standardization

"A rare opportunity for the new generation of educators to learn alongside a well-known and experienced educator to integrate all learning styles into assessments. Principals should consider this for faculty book studies. The presented techniques will, no doubt, raise standardized test scores while teachers continue to present real curriculum." —Janette Bowen, Sixth-Grade Teacher Junction City Middle School, KS Give all students an equal chance to perform well on your classroom tests and assessments! In today′s diverse classrooms, students of different socioeconomic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds and ability levels share a common learning environment. To meet each student′s unique strengths and needs, educators need flexible testing and assessment strategies that fulfill the requirements for standardized assessment and accountability in ways that don′t put students at a disadvantage because of their differences. Classroom Testing and Assessment for ALL Students helps both general and special education teachers meet and move beyond the challenges of NCLB and IDEA by using teacher-made tests, appropriate testing accommodations, technology-based testing, and classroom-based assessments that support the teaching and learning process so all students have the opportunity to succeed. The book offers ways for teachers to better differentiate their testing and assessment strategies through: Classroom and school-based examples in each chapter Bulleted information outlining hands-on, research-based strategies for teacher implementation Forms, reproducibles, stories, vignettes, reflection questions, and checklists that guide educators in applying and tailoring the strategies to their classrooms and students Tips on using technology to help all students perform better Teachers know their students best. This resource allows teachers to design tests and assessments to accommodate the various strengths and needs of all learners in their classroom.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments About the Author Introducing Inclusive Classroom Testing and Assessment Practices 1. Creating and Grading Valid and Accessible Teacher-Made Tests What Factors Should I Consider in Determining the Content of My Tests? How Can I Foster the Readability and Legibility of My Tests? How Can I Format My Tests to Help My Students to Be Organized and Motivated and to Pay Attention? How Can I Help My Students Understand and Follow Test Directions? How Can I Compose Understandable, Useful, Valid, and Appropriate Test Items? How Can I Grade My Teacher-Made Tests? 2. Determining and Implementing Valid and Appropriate Testing Accommodations What Are the Elements of Valid Testing Accommodations? What Are the Different Types of Testing Accommodations? Who Is Eligible to Receive Testing Accommodations? How Are Valid and Appropriate Testing Accommodations for Students Determined? How Can the Implementation of Testing Accommodations Be Fostered? 3. Using Technology-Based Testing How Can Technology-Based Testing Be Used to Enhance Student Motivation and Feedback and Minimize Student Errors? How Can Technology-Based Testing Be Used to Present Test Directions and Items to Students? How Can Technology-Based Testing Be Used to Help Students Respond to Objective Test Questions? How Can Technology-Based Testing Be Used to Help Students Respond to Essay Tests Questions? What Concerns Need to Be Considered and Addressed When Using Technology-Based Testing? 4. Teaching Effective Study and Test-Taking Skills and Strategies How Can I Assess My Students? Study and Test-Taking Skills and Strategies? What Effective Study Skills and Strategies Do My Students Need to Learn? What Effective Test-Taking Skills and Strategies Do My Students Need to Learn? How Can I Help My Students Who Experience Test Anxiety? How Can I Teach Effective Study and Test-Taking Skills and Strategies to My Students? How Can I Work With My Students? Families to Support Their Children?s Use of Effective Study and Test-Taking Skills? 5. Using Classroom Assessments How Can I Use Classroom Assessments to Monitor the Learning Progress of My Students? How Can I Use Classroom Assessments to Implement Performance Assessment? How Can I Use Technology to Implement Performance Assessment? Appendix A Appendix B References Index

About the Author :
A former teacher in the New York City School System, Spencer J. Salend is a professor at SUNY-New Paltz, where he teaches courses on educational assessment and serves as the coordinator of the Special Education Program. He is the author of the best-selling, easy-to-read, and practical book, Creating Inclusive Classrooms: Effective and Reflective Practices. Widely known for his work in translating research into practice, he has published and presented on such topics as educational assessment, inclusive educational practices, and teaching students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. In recognition of the significance of his research and its benefits to others, he was selected as a recipient of the State University of New York’s Faculty Scholar Award and the Chancellor’s Research Recognition Award. He has also served as a project director and program evaluator for numerous federal and state projects and has shared his work by engaging in a variety of professional development and activities.

Review :
"A rare opportunity for the new generation of educators to learn alongside an experienced educator to integrate all learning styles into assessments. Principals should consider this for faculty book studies. The presented techniques will, no doubt, raise standardized test scores while teachers continue to present real curriculum." -- Janette Bowen, Sixth-Grade Teacher "Middle and secondary teachers will find this book extremely useful. It flows logically through the assessment process with a plethora of examples for a range of students." -- Erin E. Barton, Assistant Professor of Special Education