Alternative Ways for Measuring Progress and Growth in Reading Assessments
Schools can measure progress and award growth on reading assessments in various ways, aside from solely relying on top or benchmark scores. These alternative approaches can provide a more comprehensive view of a student's development and help ensure that all students are making progress, not just the highest achievers. Here are some alternative methods for measuring progress and growth in reading assessments.
Minutes per Quest
Students should review how long they are taking to successfully accomplish an online reading lesson (Quindew calls reading lessons, Quests). Students can determine how they might increase their time on task.
Star Points
Students can set goals around how many point they accumulate over a week. Teachers can talk about what a reasonable goal might look like based on previous weeks and total points available for the week.
Weekly Challenge Goals
Some reading programs like Quindew establish weekly reading goals for students. If students meet their goals, they are rewarded with game currency. Focusing on meeting weekly goals is a great way to reward growth!
Streaks (Badges)
Like Quindew, reading programs might award badges for accomplishing something. Students can be celebrated for earning a badge, earning the top badge, or earning a specific badge. It's important to change the target badge each week in an effort to include more students in celebrating achievement. Some students might not be able to earn the top badge, yet. What other badges could you identify as the target badge for the week?
Completing all Quests for the Week
Staying on pace is extremely important, especially for students who need more reading reps. Consider rewarding students for being on track for the week. If the goal is to complete three reading lessons a week, could students be acknowledged for completing all three?
Using Support (tips, dictionary, tutorials)
Learning happens when students are told they answered something wrong and have a chance to fix it. When students read on Quindew, they are given a second chance opportunity to learn and apply new learning to a question in order to answer it correctly. In this type of reading environment, students can be awarded for using support to help them answer more questions correctly. Maybe students who use 10-20 supports during the week get recognized for their dedication to learning something they didn't know at first.
Get Students Involved
Students should be at the center of goal setting. They should be the ones identifying their goals and reflecting on their weekly progress. Here are the top 10 reasons why student-centered goal setting and reflecting is important.
1. Ownership of Learning: When students actively participate in setting their own learning goals, they take ownership of their education. They are more likely to be motivated and engaged in their studies because they have a personal stake in achieving those goals.
2. Intrinsic Motivation: Goal setting and reflection foster intrinsic motivation. When students set their own goals, they are more likely to feel a sense of autonomy and purpose, which are key drivers of intrinsic motivation. They are not just working to meet external expectations; they are pursuing their own aspirations.
3. Increased Accountability: Involving students in goal setting and reflection holds them accountable for their own progress. They understand what is expected of them and what they are working toward. This accountability can lead to a stronger commitment to their studies and a greater sense of responsibility.
4. Individualized Learning: Every student is unique, and their learning needs, interests, and strengths vary. When students participate in goal setting, these goals can be tailored to their individual needs. This individualization of goals can lead to more effective and personalized learning experiences.
5. Self-Awareness: Reflecting on progress helps students develop self-awareness. They become more attuned to their strengths and weaknesses, learning styles, and preferences. This self-awareness can inform future goal setting and guide them in making better decisions about their learning.
6. Skill Development: The process of setting goals and reflecting on progress fosters essential skills such as critical thinking, self-regulation, time management, and problem-solving. These skills are valuable not only in education but also in life beyond the classroom.
7. Improved Communication: Goal setting and reflection provide opportunities for open and effective communication between students, teachers, and parents. Sharing and discussing goals and progress can strengthen the relationships between these stakeholders and lead to better support for the student.
8. Positive Mindset: Goal setting and reflection can promote a growth mindset, where students see challenges as opportunities for growth and view setbacks as learning experiences. This mindset can lead to resilience and a willingness to take on challenges.
9. Long-Term Learning Habits: Engaging students in goal setting and reflection helps them develop lifelong learning habits. They learn that education is not a one-time task but an ongoing process of improvement and growth.
10. Greater Satisfaction and Well-Being: Achieving self-set goals can boost a student's sense of accomplishment and overall well-being. It can lead to increased self-esteem and happiness, which are important for mental health.
Incorporating student voices in the goal-setting and reflection process respects their agency, individuality, and the unique contributions they can make to their own education. This empowerment can result in more engaged, motivated, and successful learners who are better equipped to face the challenges of both their academic and personal lives.
Quindew has created a Goal Setting and Reflection worksheet that teachers and students can use right away. Let us know what you think by emailing us at schoolwide@literacygeeks.com.