Differentiated Instruction & Sound Grading Practices

Overview:

This training focuses on using formative and summative data to design plans for differentiated instruction. Participants will develop a framework for studying assessment data and making decisions regarding differentiation. Participants will also examine their grading practices, including reflecting on what they consider when formulating a quarterly grade, such as participation, homework, effort, and more. We will question current grading practices and ask ourselves "Do my grading practices accurately communicate student learning, or is the learning picture distorted by too many other considerations?"

Ken O'Conner's Fifteen Fixes for Broken Grades will provide a framework for our work.

Creating a classroom culture of student involvement which
fosters motivation and student achievement.

Learning Targets:

• I can differentiate between descriptive and evaluative feedback, using both to close achievement gaps and motivate students.
• I can analyze data and use it to make instructional decisions which fit the needs of a diverse student population.
• I can audit my grading practices for alignment to the intended learning targets.
• I can identify research supporting sound grading practices.

"Frank facilitated a professional development session today at our ESC, about Literacy Skills in Grades 6-12 Social Studies. I wanted to share that he did an outstanding job! He presented practical, realistic, and student-centered instructional practices and the participants gained many valuable ideas to implement tomorrow in their classrooms! Frank's positive, upbeat and engaging demeanor was much appreciated. It was a wonderful day!"

- Bonnie O., ESC School Improvement Consultant