Assessment

In the past four years of teaching i have been in two different districts. Surprising enough both districts use the same assessments. Through the years i have learned that Abbott districts are monitored heavily through the state, so there assessments come directly from the state. The assessment that i have been using is know as ELAS (early learning assessment). ELAS runs parallel to the preschool age by age accomplishments. ELAS covers the following: listening and understanding to environment sounds, converses effectively in his or her own language, emergent print awareness, knowledge and enjoyment of books, phonological awareness, and emerging writing skills.
Yes these expectations run parallel to the state requirements, but i found when it came time to really spend time with the students i really wasn't. I was so consumed with getting evidence to meets these expectations and fill the students portfolios that i forgot what i was really there for, to teach. After working with this assessment i have found time to figure out how to balance the time, but after speaking with other educators who use this system they feel the same. According to Principles of Effective Literacy Assessment article it is an ongoing process and it does show a pattern of growth throughout the year, and it is absolutely appropriate culturally, but my personal opinion is that it is a little much. I came to this conclusion not when i realized i needed to spend more time teaching instead of assessing, but when i sat down to do report cards and the report card had nothing to do with ELAS. Does the district need to reevaluate this....absolutely!
After reading the article on Ms. Rodriguez i realized that maybe i just need to make my own plan of action when it comes to assessment. I would still use what is expected of me from the district, but maybe incorporate my own activities that would help me assest my students as far as the report card expectations are concerned. Maybe do the year long project and have the students self assesset as she did, but most importantly i would involve the parents as well.