Summative Assessments
Summative assessments allow me to evaluate scholar’s learning at the end of each unit. The data collected helps me communicate students’ growths and areas of improvement to parents. The data also helps me gain perspective on the unit’s successes and challenges, which allows me to determine new instructional strategies to implement, adjust pacing, or build more background knowledge the next time I teach the unit. Through data collection from summative assessments, I continue to better myself as a mindful educator that will continue to grow every year.
Summative Assessment: Wonders Unit Tests
At the end of each unit, students take a summative assessment that is given orally. They are tested on their listening comprehension, phonemic awareness, high-frequency words, and category words. Based on the unit data, I can quickly identify which students need overall support. Through a breakdown of the scores, I can then recognize the specific areas of need and what students I can group for re-teaching and also one-on-one help. The summative data collected helps inform my instruction before we begin the next unit.
Unit Test - Teacher Dictation
Unit Test - Student Example
Pictured Above: Wonders teacher script.
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Wonders provides a script for each unit assessment. For my five- and six-year-old scholars, a twenty question test is long. When appropriate, I made adaptations to the test, taking into consideration their age and the developmental appropriateness of the test length. When I administer the test, I read questions multiple times, so they have adequate think time. Additionally, the multiple readings, help my students with disabilities and communication needs to access the content.
Pictured Above: Student test sample
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The sample above is an example of what students' unit tests looks like. As seen, tests are developmentally appropriate.
Fountas & Pinnell - Summative Assessments
At my school, Fountas & Pinnell, F&P, reading assessments are used at every grade level to determine if students are below, on, or above grade level. To be prepared for 1st grade, kindergarteners are expected to pass Level C in F&P which is equivalent to one year of reading growth. However, since the majority of my students are coming in below grade level, my reading goal of 1.6 years of growth is rigorous because I believe it’s imperative to provide them with a strong foundation in reading. To pass the summative assessments, students need to first demonstrate mastery in reading fluency by reading decodable words and sight words. If they master the first half, the second half of the summative tests their reading comprehension by expecting them to answer questions related to the text. Through the summative data collected, students receive leveled books to read for homework and parents are informed of their progress and areas of focus. I also use it to tell me about what skills to practice when I pull students for small group or 1:1 work. As students pass levels, communication to parents of necessary skills is adjusted to meet their needs.
Fountas & Pinnell Assessment Materials
Pictured Above: Fountas & Pinnell expected reading levels throughout Kipapa Elementary school.
Pictured Above: The first book students read at level A. The above book, Best Friends, is a non-fiction book that requires students to read grade-level CVC words and high-frequency words.
Pictured Above: The form above is the summative assessment tracker for the first half of the Fountas & Pinnell tests. As students read the story aloud, I track to see what they got correct, what they got incorrect, and if they did self-corrections. After the reading is complete, the scores are recorded on the side. At my school, if students get more than two questions wrong they are unable to move past the first half of the summative assessment. If they are unable to pass both parts, they do not progress in reading levels.
Pictured Above: The form above is the summative assessment tracker for the second half of the Fountas & Pinnell tests. The second half tests students reading comprehension skills and students are awarded points for every acceptable answer they give. Fountas & Pinnell provide examples of acceptable answers. If students get a total score of 5 or higher, they pass the complete summative assessment. The guide to the overall score is in the bottom left of the picture.