National School Reform Faculty

Authentic Assessment
Date: January 28 - February 6, 2003
Listserv: Coaches
Resources: "road-map," rubric

Tuesday, January 28, 2003 1:53 PM
I have a request. We're going to have a staff retreat about Authentic Assessment, so we can add to our repertoire. Do any of you have activities that you've done to learn more about more authentic assessments and how they drive more powerful curriculum?
Barb, Indiana

Wednesday, January 29, 2003 12:38 PM
I would recommend a book by Evangeline Harris Stefanakis titled Multiple Intelligences and Portfolios: A Window Into The Learners Mind. There are lots of examples (on CD) and each chapter is full of "how to's" and things to think about.
Patty, Washington

Thursday, January 30, 2003 6:30 PM
We have used Fred Newmann's rubrics for authentic assessment, instruction, and student tasks for two years. We began by bringing student work to the table and scoring the pieces collectively with the rubrics. We looked specifically at Analysis, Disciplinary Content, and Elaborated Written Communication.

Last year, we began the process of looking at our own instruction through the lens of Fred's rubrics including HOTS, Substantive Conversation, Connection to the real world, and Deep Construction of Knowledge. This year we are doing peer observations using the rubrics.

The process has definitely served to strengthen our work in all three areas. Student engagement and student achievement are greater as well. We had much help from Fred in the beginning, but AIW (Authentic Intellectual Work) has now become way of life at our school.
Debbie, Texas

Thursday, January 30, 2003 9:05 PM
Dear Debbie,
I teach in an elementary school in Lancaster, PA. I am not familiar with the Fred Newmann's rubrics. Would they be appropriate for use with Kindergarten through 5th grade teachers? If yes, where are they available? Thanks.
Karen, Pennsylvania

Friday, January 31, 2003 3:08 PM
To add on to that: a high school Social Studies department with whom I work had a series of amazing conversations using the Newmann protocol for Social Studies, and we looked for rubrics for other disciplines.... can anyone direct us toward other content-area protocols for authentic work?
Angela, Texas

Saturday, February 1, 2003 7:56 PM
I think the Newmann concepts are applicable across the board. The basic tenets being that Authentic tasks require:
Constructions of new knowledge ...
Based on disciplined inquiry into core practices and knowledge
of the field as it already exists,
Leading to new ideas, products and practices that have meaning,
value and audience beyond "school".
In demonstrating this learning, students use writing
communication and oral discourse fitting to the task and
discipline.
These components can then be looked for in the examination of student work and the assignment tasks designed to elicit them.
Linda, Florida

Monday, February 3, 2003 9:29 AM
Hi
I am interested in seeing these rubrics too.
ALSO, This may seem like a very broad question, but I am looking for GREAT models of integrated, standards-based, "less-is-more" curriculum for K-6 or 7-12 or BOTH. By "curriculum", I mean documents that outline the full program. Does anyone have some suggestions about possible sources for this? THANKS!
Nancy, Vermont

Monday, February 3, 2003 10:01 AM
You can order a great little book: A Guide to Authentic Instruction and Assessment: Vision, Standards and Scoring by Fred Newmann, Walter Secada and Gary Wehlage. It used to be $9. for single copies and $7.50 for 25 or more copies.

Call Wisconsin Center for Educational Research. The number used to be: 608-263-4214

I used this with a cfg in 1996-97 as a text/guide for our LASW all year.

Also, check out chapters 1 and 2 In Authentic Achievement by Fred Newmann for more info on the standards and their relationship to student achievement. It is published by Jossey Bass.
Gene, Massachusetts

Monday, February 3, 2003 1:23 PM
At SRRHS in Sedona Arizona we integrate English and History into a Humanities course that also integrates social sciences, philosophy and the arts. I have attached the 'road map' for our global year. We teach global,
US and local ( which is early US/Southwest and AZ literature and history.

I have other descriptions of the program which really does heed the less is more philosophy through in depth study and project based work. If you would like to see those let me know.
Lisa, Arizona

Tuesday, February 4, 2003 10:39 AM
Hello,
You can find some examples of integrated, standards-based curriculum on the
Electronic Learning Marketplace web site at <www.elm.maine.edu> Look at the "portraits" in the "Assessment Center". These contain detailed descriptions, student work and scoring guides.
Debra, Maine

Tuesday, February 4, 2003 11:02 AM
http://wwwtlc1.murdoch.edu.au/evaluation/survey/use_pic.html
This website offers an interesting use of pictures and metaphors to aide in the collection of feedback. While I would probably choose some additional pictures, I really think this approach will prove valuable.

Any thoughts?
Debbie, Pennsylvania

Tuesday, February 4, 2003 11:25 AM
Juli-
My office (Education By Design) does just this kind of work. Our website
(Edbydesign.org) has some information, but I would be happy to send more along , too, if you'd like.
Laura, New Hampshire

Tuesday, February 4, 2003 12:45 PM
I don't know about "great" integrated curriculum, but the integrated curriculum I used in Junior Humanities is still on the web at http://sonic.net/~kjuarez/ Each unit has a rubric which attempts to describe performance on each major activity at several levels.
Kathy, California

Wednesday, February 5, 2003 2:04 PM
http://www.nwrel.org/assessment/toolkit98.asp
http://www.nwrel.org/assessment/toolkit98/Act1-5.html - Clapping Hands exercise

The NW Regional lab has an assessment web site - and their is an exercise on it called Clapping Hands which can be a good way to enter the assessment conversation, especially as it relates to performance based assessments.
Gene, Massachusetts

Wednesday, February 5, 2003 6:51 PM
Debbie:
The things you've done with Fred Newmann's rubrics sounds fascinating. I'm sure others would be interested. Could you possibly post or tell us where to find his rubrics. Also, if you'd be able to share the three stages in which you used them at your school in more detail, it would be greatly appreciated.
Barb, Indiana

Thursday, February 6, 2003 10:52 PM
attached you will find a rubric that I pulled out of the the little pink
book that Gene referred to from Fred Newmann's work.
Jill, Washington