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Case: Assessment Dilemma For the last several years, the administrators and the teaching staff at Smith Elementary School have been happy to report their school's high achievement test scores. The school district has spent countless dollars on professional development workshops for teachers. Assessment experts have presented valuable information on test taking strategies that bring positive results. Mrs. Madison, who teaches second grade, has faithfully attended all of the information packed presentations. She can now reap the benefits of her new approach to standardized testing. Her students' scores last year far exceeded her expectations as a classroom teacher. Mrs. Madison was very pleased with the level of academic performance her students displayed on the end of year exams. Ironically, these latest scores arrived on the same day Mrs. Madison received her student list for the upcoming school year. After reviewing the names of her new second graders, Mrs. Madison became quite concerned. The list of students revealed two last names that were obviously not typical American names. After a brief conversation with the principal of her school, she learned that an expanding business in the area had hired employees from other countries to join their corporation. As a result, new families were moving into the local community to work at this prestigious business. These specialized employees were moving their families into an unfamiliar country and culture in order to take advantage of an opportunity to work in the United States. The principal informed Mrs. Madison that these new students coming to Smith Elementary would be hearing the English language for the first time. The determined principal also relayed to Mrs. Madison the importance of maintaining their school's reputation of producing high test scores. Mrs. Madison was now facing an unfamiliar task of teaching ESL (English as a Second Language) students and upholding high standardized assessment scores. Questions: 1. Is Mrs. Madison's assessment dilemma an unfamiliar situation in today's educational system? 2. Was the principal of Smith Elementary School asking too much of Mrs.? Madison? 3. How could Mrs. Madison prepare for her new ESL students? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) No, I believe that Mrs. Madison's assessment dilemma is one that is seen frequently in today's educational system. I also believe that the principal of Smith Elementary School may be asking too much of Mrs. Madison at this time. She is now teaching several ESL students in which now she will have adjust her regular teaching methods. The principal must remember that these students are hearing the English language for the first time and may struggle especially at the beginning. Mrs. Madison could prepare for her new ESL students by becoming familiar with programs that help incorporate different languages into instruction. She could research and talk with other professionals who deal with ESL more frequently for advice and techniques on the most effective instruction. |
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