Compare and contrast curriculum based assessment with standardized tests
Standardized tests are tests taken by the provision of measuring apparatus to the study group and then the outcome is determined after analysing the results. Readily available are two types of standardized testing instruments norm and criterion referenced tests. Norm tests yield scores that compare the student’s scores to that of a representative sample of grade peers while the latter method of examining entails comparing a student’s score to a determined criterion, for instance, school curriculum. There is also the curriculum-based evaluation which entails involving instructions in assessment. It entails a measurement method of examining and recording of the student’s performance.
The two methods differ in a number of ways. Standardized testing is criticized because it fails to give comprehensive instructions especially where disabled students are concerned. The curriculum-based assessment gives detailed instructions. Secondly, standardized tests reflect behaviour in performance at a single point in time unlike the latter which reflects performance over a span of time. Curriculum based evaluation is preferred to standardized examining.
Describe why and how you would utilize portfolios in the special education setting
Portfolios are resolute collections of student work displaying student’s progress and mastery of a core curriculum. They are essential since they reveal the understanding of a student and are able to reflect the change and growth over a period. Care should be taken when it comes to teaching to facilitate maximum coverage and understanding of the curriculum. They can be utilised by involving teachers and students in prioritising criteria that have a substantial impact in assessment of student progress affirmatively and summarily.
Describe a scenario with a student that you would use a checklist or rating scale
Rating scale and checklist are implements of formative assessment and gauge a student’s performance. Supposing i were an English teacher and wanted to monitor the performance of one of my weak students, i would graph a table with the number of days the student is supposed to attend school. Then, add columns with headers such as, language structure, vocabulary use and intonation. From this table, i would tabulate daily after each lesson the student’s performance in each of the listed areas. From this information, i am now able to help my student since am familiar with his or her strengths and weaknesses.
Describe a scenario in which you would utilize interviews and questionnaires in your classroom setting
These are most applicable especially in situations where a teacher wants to gauge the performance of students or gets their opinion on a given issue. For instance when it’s the beginning of a new term and, the teacher wants to know reasons for a drop in performance of his or her students in the previous term, questionnaires would be most applicable. They allow each student to give his or her opinion. Large amounts of information can also be obtained from a large group within an incredibly short period. Interviews are useful in gathering data, in a class set up since they give the personal appeal and attach individual element to impersonal data, and detailed data are attained.
How would you respond to a student who sees that a special needs student is getting a different form of assessment
Special needs students require undivided attention since their needs are assessed at individual levels to ensure they are fully conversant with the school curriculum. Common, special needs include learning challenges, behavioural disorders, and developed disorders among many others. I would make a normal student understand that his or her learning capabilities are different from those of special needs student. A special student requires more time to comprehend the curriculum than a normal student. I would also explain to the student that no two human beings are identical.
