Assessment Thoughts (ESSAY!)
I have been asked to share my thoughts about “assessment” in the mathematics classroom. I’ll be honest and say that I really do find this a dreary topic, but that could be because of how it is currently typically done: lots of “what” questions, one after the other, all timed as though speed is of absolute importance, marks tallied and added up over an entire year (yeesh! Where’e the room for growth and change?) and a letter put on a transcript at the end of it all.
I’ve personally have struggled within the rigid system of regular quizzes and tests, common exams, and the subsequent student fears, “How will this affect my grade?”. This essay is about finding the wiggle-room within that system to make baby-steps of change. People seem to find this essay provocative. (I think it is tame!)
