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Ilyssa Knoblach Assessment Journal 3 2/27/09

During my observation on Friday, the students were being individually tested for there reading knowledge. While the class was completing an activity in their ‘Lournals’ (learning journals), students were called up to Mrs. Ferguson’s desk, one by one, to be individually tested. Mrs. Ferguson does this type of reading assessment, usually once a month for each student. This is one of the schools policies, and needs to be recorded for the school. This assessment is kept track of in each individual student’s records. The records are typed up on the computer to be sent to the reading teacher, and principal, and/or whoever receives them in the school, and also in the student’s in-class folders. This assessment allows for the teacher to know what the students need help on and where they are in there reading ability. The teacher uses an assessment sheet that is created for different reading levels. Since there are twenty-seven students in the classroom, it usually takes about the entire month to test each student. Mrs. Ferguson finds time throughout the days to fit these types of assessments in. I agree with this reading assessment because it allows for the teacher to really grasp an understanding of where each student is individually at, or what level of reading they are. I have definitely noticed that the students do not spend much time on reading as a class. Sometimes the students do silent reading, although the teacher does not really get to hear the students at this time. So I feel that an individual reading assessment is necessary. This way, if students are behind in their reading, or need any help, they can work with the specific reading teacher, and/or read books that are at their level. Although this assessment is time consuming, I feel that is important to tell if the students are improving in their readings, or falling behind. I understand that there is not much time for this assessment in the classroom, but I may try and figure out a proper time to test the students. When I was observing, I noticed that the teacher had to constantly stop and speak with the class, either to give directions, or quiet the students down. This could be confusing or distracting for those students who are being tested. Overall, I have seen improvements in many of the students reading, since being in the class in the beginning of the year, therefore, something good is working. Although, I do find that some students, who are just making the reading level cut, are not improving, this may have been proven on the NECAP testing.