the best units and plans aligned to standards are for naught if I don't also assess student's progress toward mastery (task).

In assessing students, I use both formative and summative assessment procedures. The types of formative assessments I use entail gathering immediate data to check for understanding. For example, I might insert a short verbal quiz into the lesson or use thumbs up/down or an exit ticket to assess class mastery of a concept. I can quickly get an idea of who needs more help and have some students work on completing a problem set in the packet while I call others together to reteach or explain differently. Summative methods include graded quizzes, tests, culminating projects, and lab reports. Throughout the term I also grade and assess participation in discussions, group projects, and timeliness turning work in.

The goal of my assessment activities is to give students and myself data to measure their growth toward mastery of each learning objective. Students can take control of their learning and I can give a grade that accurately reflects what the student knows and is able to do.