Student academic progress is the ultimate goal of education. Highly qualified teachers support the academic development of each student. Teachers monitor student progress through measurable learning goals and adjust their teaching methods to maximize learning, progress, and success.
Baseline Data
Teachers use baseline data to set learning goals. Baseline data shows the strengths and weaknesses of students. Baseline data is helpful at the beginning of the school year and at the beginning of each new unit of study. Teachers manage instructional delivery time so that students have more time to learn where they are weaker. Before my unit on Gases, I administered a pre-test to obtain baseline data.
Documenting Progress
It is vital that teachers stay organized and thoroughly document the progress of every student to assess learning and teaching. I have an “attendance stick” procedure in which students grab their attendance sticks at the beginning of class. After the lesson, students place their attendance sticks in one of three jars: I get it, I need to do my homework, or I need extra help. I use this system to quickly see how my students feel about the lesson. In addition, I can look back at their opinions after formally assessing them to see if their thoughts align with their grades.
Outcome Data
Educators not only use student outcome data to evaluate their students, but also to evaluate their teaching methods. Outcome data helps students and teachers adjust and set new, learning goals. It is also important that teachers assess students based off of the learning goals–this ensures a fair evaluation. I analyzed baseline data and outcome data for a unit on Gases. In addition, I wrote a reflection about what I learned.
“We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted at something.”
–Marie Curie