Assessment is an essential part of learning. How a student performs on assessments provides feedback for both the student and the teacher and is used to inform instruction.

What does this mean for my child? 
  Students will receive feedback from a variety of formal and informal sources including, in person comments and observations from teacher, classroom work, performance on projects and tests, and formal district tests and screeners. Students keep track of their own data on a daily, weekly, and unit by unit basis. Everyday students reflect on their performance. With guidance from me students decide if they more instruction or practice in this area, if they are ready to move on, or if they would benefit more challenging learning opportunities. 

 How do I know how my child is doing?
     Students in our classroom have no reason no to know exactly where they are in relationship to the learning targets. However, sometimes communication between home and school leaves something to be desired. So to better keep parents in the loop, Weekly Update forms are sent home on Wednesdays. On this form you can quickly see the learning targets we have been working on and your child's progress towards those targets.  Missing assignments are also listed here. This form is a great way to keep up to date on what we are learning and your child's progress. Parents can also login to powerschool to see their child's progress over a longer time frame.
   Report cards are sent home three times a year. Additionally, we will meet and discuss your child’s progress at conferences in the fall and in the spring. If at anytime you have concerns about your child, I encourage you to contact me and we can set up at time to conference outside of the planned spring and fall times. Also, if I ever feel that there is an area of concern I will be sure to contact you so we can discuss the best options for your child. 

 What about Homework? 
   Homework should support the learning that is happening at school. So with that in mind, your child may bring home any of the following types of homework.  

1. Work that was unfinished at school. Students are provided with many opportunities to complete their work at school and most students are able to do so. In the case that students are unable to finish their work in class it will become homework. 
2. Extra practice or challenge work. After evaluating and tracking their progress students make a choice about what their next steps in learning should be. We provide time for students to carry out this work during our daily choice and accountability time. In the event that students can't complete this work at school, it may come home as homework. 
3. Special projects. Occasionally, we will have special projects that need to be completed outside of school. Information will be provided to students in advance and shared with parents on the Weekly Update.