By Terry Steinbeiser, Title I Teacher/Coordinator
How do we know that students are learning what is expected, and that they are able to demonstrate their knowledge effectively?
First, Lewiston educators worked to identify learning targets in reading, writing, and math for each quarter of the year, kindergarten through grade 8. (See the 2002-03 math targets for grades K-8 below and on the next page.) These clear learning objectives help guide teachers’ instruction.
This year, teachers in the elementary schools and the middle school have worked to develop activities that determine if students have achieved the learning targets. We call these activities target assessments. (See the sample math target assessment items to the left.) Teachers use target assessments every quarter to determine what students have learned. School principals meet quarterly with the superintendent to report student progress toward meeting each target.
This year, the goal was to have 80% of all students meet each target. Students who have difficulty achieving the targets are provided additional support. Some schools have established learning labs; other schools use Title I staff to provide additional academic support. After-school programs and re-teaching are other strategies used by schools to help students reach the identified targets.
Through targeted instruction, close monitoring, multiple assessment opportunities, and multiple opportunities to learn, students are achieving learning objectives. Meeting quarterly learning targets helps ensure that more students will demonstrate that they have achieved the Maine Learning Results when they are tested in grades 4, 8, and 11.
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