Methods for Documenting Student Progress
Strategies for Assessing and Keeping Records in the Classroom
Jan 31, 2009
There are many methods for documenting student progress. There isn’t a single way that can be used for all subjects. Each subject, each assignment warrants its own method of grading or documentation depending on what the grade level expectation consists of.
Using traditional grading methods, rubrics, portfolios and anecdotal records make for a well-rounded assessment practice. Using these assessment practices in combination allows for a better look at a student’s progress with standards.You will no doubt use traditional multiple choice, fill in the blank, true or false type assessments but for those assessments that aren’t nearly as straightforward, other methods are necessary.
Anecdotal Records
Anecdotal records are a great way to document student behaviors and academic progress over time. They can be useful in diagnosing a student’s difficulty in a particular subject area or simply to show mastering of a standard. Traditionally the teacher will take brief notes on a student’s interactions within the classroom with subject matter and peers. By keeping such notes, the teacher has a point of reference for the planning of how instruction as well as an additional tool for communication to parents of their child's progress.
Maintaining a consistent system for taking anecdotal notes will ensure success when using this type of informal assessment. One method of keeping anecdotal records is to create a clipboard or file folder with note cards, one for each student, cascading down in an overlapping fashion. As you are observing, simply flip to the child’s card that you are observing and jot down notes. As you fill up cards, file them away into the students class file and place a new card in its place.
If you are interested in taking notes on students in multiple subject areas, create separate folders/clipboards for each subject area. Consider using different color note cards for each subject area to simplify finding specific notes when conferencing with a parent.
Portfolios
Portfolios are files or binders which hold samples of individual student work As students master specific standards, choose a sample that represents the student's progress and place it in the portfolio. At different points during the year, this portfolio can be used to conference with students regarding their progress as well as parents, administrators or other staff members providing services for students.
Portfolios are an excellent communication tool between all interested parties. Consider keeping a file just for student portfolios. This file should be seperate from a file kept with additional students information, communication with parents and graded work. The portfolio is a sample of standards progress, it is not an all inclusive file with all things pertaining to the student.
Rubrics
Rubrics are a great way to assess a students progress with standards in a detailed manner. For assignments that require more than a simple selection of the correct answer or filling in the blank, rubrics are the answer. Rubrics provide several focal points when grading subjective work. They also provide the teacher with a tool to ensure that grading is fair and consistent for all students. Rubrics provide a primary focus for otherwise ambiguous assignments.
Documenting student progress can be a daunting task due to the numerous options out there for doing so. By choosing a few set practices such as anecdotal records, portfolios and the use of rubrics in addition to standard, straightforward grading practices with multiple choice, fill in the blank, and true false answering, you simplify the process of keeping records. Additionally, you provide the parents and students with a consistent method of communicating progress when using a chosen few grading practices.
