Alternative Assessments

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Alternative Assessments

• Dr. Scott McDaniel
• Middle Tennessee State University

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Ideas

• Rubrics
• Portfolios
• Panel Assessments
• Clinical Interview (Tutoring)
• WebQuests
• Video Taped Demos
• Projects

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Portfolios

• Standardized tests only assess what a student
  knows. Portfolios can trace the development of a
  students ability1.

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What is a Portfolio?

• A portfolio is a purposeful collection of student
  work that exhibits the students efforts,
  progress and achievments.1
• If the assignment is effective, you will
  understand exactly what the student is thinking
  when going through the problem solving process.

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Example

• A school system in Vermont has the student
  compile their 7 best pieces that show good
  problem solving, 10 to 15 other pieces and a
  letter to the evaluator, who is evaluating 2 main
  things
• Math Problem Solving
• Math Communication

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Examples

• Here are examples of two completed piece of a
  portfolio
• http//www.enc.org/topics/assessment/altern/docume
  nt.shtm?inputFOC-001570-a8c
• http//www.enc.org/topics/assessment/altern/docume
  nt.shtm?inputFOC-001570-a8f

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Panel Assessments2

• Give students problems a couple of weeks ahead of
  the assessment.
• Students may work cooperatively or in small
  groups
• On the day of the Exam the panel of judges
  (teachers) randomly selects 1 problem

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Advantages of Panels

• The panel can probe the student to determine the
  depth (or lack thereof) of their understanding.
• The student can ask clarifying questions
• Students can communicate their knowledge orally,
  writing, or visual presentation.

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Clinical Interviews

• Heath (1994) reports two cases at the college
  level
• Case 1 Student in Geometry Class
• Was an engineer, but had to take Geometry for
  Certification.
• Had to come to class and participate
• Exempted from homework and final exam
• In exchange he would tutor 1 student, who was
  poor in math.
• Student was required to do a research paper
  (along with everyone else.

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Clinical Interviews (2)

• Case 2 Developmental Algebra
• Student had twice repeated the class
• Suffered extreme math anxiety
• Alternative Solution
• Required to do all the homework and boardwork
• Required to take tests, but they would not hurt
  her grade.
• Required to tutor 1 student in the class w/ poor
  background.

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Results

• In both cases the students given the alternative
  assessments did well in the class.
• Case 2 student averaged 85 on tests and made a 95
  on the final
• The students they tutored also did well.

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Other ideas?

• WebQuests
• Video Taped Demos
• Projects

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References

• Coates, D. (1995) Alternative assessments to
  reflect a changing mathematics curriculum.
  Retrieved 8/5 from http//www.frontiernet.net/dco
  ates/altass.htm
• Haas, N., LoPresto, S. (1994) Panel
  assessments Unlocking math exams. Educational
  Leadership, 51(5), pp.69-70
• Heath, P. (1994). Alternative Assessment for
  College Mathematics. Eric Document (ED376208 )
• Nataro, S. (2000). Statewide Portfolio Assessment
  in Mathematics A Teacher's Perspective ENC Focus
  7 (2) http//www.enc.org/topics/assessment/altern/
  document.shtm?inputFOC-001570-index