Change the Measure


cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by aussiegall

The other day, through a conversation on Twitter, one of the questions that came up (which does often), is in light of all the progress in education, how do we measure if what we are doing is successful?  As I thought about it, it seemed that we are looking for some quantitative data to show success.  What I was struggling with though is if we are trying to make learning personalized, why are we trying to group the data?  Personalized learning would seemingly lead to personalized assessment and data with every child having a different measure of success.  The view of “success for all” really does not tell the story of each individual child but measures them against some common standard.  Wouldn’t success look different to every single person?  It seems we are looking to use “industrialized” data for personalized learning.

So what could that look like?  Well many organizations outside of education use the concept of “exit interviews” to measure how their company is doing and what it could do better.   Although there could be a more “numerical” way of doing this, many great organizations know that there is truly value in having conversations with those involved, and that through this qualitative data, their companies can get better.  The process is long but it is valuable.  What could that look like for our students?  Actually sitting down with them individually and having them share what they learned?  Would we not be able to understand how well they are doing while also assessing where we need to grow?  Is this not time well spent?  We need to bring our students in the conversation more.

Or why not focus on portfolios that tell the story from the child’s point of view?  Using digital portfolios are something that gives student the opportunity to not only share what they are learning, but it is also a reflective tool for learning.  By giving students a platform so we can look in at some of their thought process, will we not build an understanding of how well they are doing?

How do we measure success?  Through a score?  To adults, success could mean to some a good family, others a rewarding career, some money.  The standard is different for everyone.  We need to give this opportunity to our students.

I have said it before, and still believe that if classrooms are going to change (meaningful and sustainable change), organizations and structures need to change.  Simply looking for a “number” based on a different measure seems like the same type of assessment.  If we are going to change the way we teach, we need to also change how we assess, not just what we assess.

Suggestions?

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