Measure Progress Without Testing

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Curt_Bumcrot]Curt Bumcrot
A myriad of footnote questions appear on most published tests. Why? Because they are easy to write and easy to score. They're also largely meaningless when it comes to measuring what your student has learned. If you've concluded that the tedium of having your student memorize what seems to be an endless stream of facts is just not worth the investment of time, what do you do instead? Here's a simple but powerful option.
Many textbooks have review questions located throughout and at the end of each chapter. Some are well-written and require the student to use the higher levels of thinking. I recommend that you replace the tests with the review questions using the following simple method to help you determine what your student is learning.
First, choose review questions that seem important to you. Important as opposed to simply recall-type questions. The number of questions you choose to have your student respond to will be proportionate to the length and content of the chapter.
Second, ask your student to write an answer to each question. Make this an open-book test if you like. Let him know that he will be evaluated on the substance and quality of his answer. Suggest, though, that he limit his answer to one paragraph. This forces word economy.
Third, evaluate and score his answers. I suggest the following scale:

Adequate answers are awarded 3 points. "Adequate" means his response demonstrated he understood the basic content called for by the question.
Good answers are awarded 4 points. "Good" means his answer showed a greater degree of understanding than just the "adequate level."
Excellent answers are awarded 5 points. "Excellent" means his answer was well-thought through and showed an even greater depth of understanding than at the "good" level.If you choose questions that require the student simply recite facts back, award full credit (5 points) if completely accurate or no credit if the answer is simply wrong.

Finally, to generate a grade for the chapter based on this approach, simply total the number of points awarded for each question and divide this total by the total number of points possible.
Here's an example. Let's say you choose five questions for your student to answer. You award 4 points each to three questions, 3 points to one question, and 5 points to one question for a total of 20 points. Now, divide 20 points (the number awarded) by 25 points (the number possible). The result is.8. Convert.8 to a percent (move the decimal point over two places to the right and add the percent sign) and you have 80%.
Using a traditional grading scale of A: 90-100%, B: 80-89%, C: 70-79%, etc. the grade for this chapter would be a "B."
This method works best when you keep it simple. Don't spend too much time deliberating over whether an answer should be awarded 4 or 5 five points. Only occasionally split the difference and award a 4.5 or 3.5. You've got better things to do with your time.
Thanks for reading!
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Curt Bumcrot is the founder and director of Basic Skills Assessment and Educational Services. He has earned degrees in Biblical Studies from Grace Institute in Long Beach, California, a B.A. in English from California State University at Dominguiz Hills, and a M.R.E. (Master in Religious Education) from Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary. He has been active both as a teacher and administrator in Christian Schools. He and his wife, Jenny, who home schooled their three children, currently reside in Oregon City.
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Measure-Progress-Without-Testing&id=6587141] Measure Progress Without Testing