TTE 357 C

EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY 357c

Methods of Educational Assessment, Monitoring & Reporting Progress: Birth-Age 8

Contact: Email is the preferred method of contact for your instructor.  When contacting the instructor, please include your full name and course number.  Due to privacy concerns, the instructor will not answer questions by email or phone that require revealing individually-identifying grade information, such as grades earned on assignments or exams.

Text: Wright, R.J. (2010).  Multifaceted Assessment for Early Childhood Education, Sage pub.

Course Description: This is a basic course for preservice teachers on ways to integrate classroom assessment into instructional planning and practices to improve student learning. You will learn general concepts about testing and measurement, including but not limited to: (1) aligning tests with instructional objectives, (2) developing and evaluating tests, (3) grading and weighing strategies, (4) understanding and interpreting standardized tests, and (5) understanding basic statistical properties of tests and measurement, such as reliability and validity.

Grading:                                              300 points possible
A = 270 or more points (at least 90% of possible)
B = 240 - 269 points (80-89% of possible)
C = 210 - 239 points (70-79% of possible)
D = 180 - 209 points (60-69% of possible)
F = fewer than 179 points

Course Requirements:                                     300 points total

Exams: Exams will cover information from readings, lectures, and in-class discussions and will contain restricted response and short answer questions. There is no cumulative final exam.

Missed exams may NOT be made up unless accompanied by a dean’s excuse or a documented emergency. All missed exams must be made up within one week of the scheduled exam date.

Attendance and Tardy Policy:  Dependability and punctuality are critical qualities in the profession of teaching and your regular attendance and punctuality are important to your success in this class. You are allowed one excused absence from class for illness or personal emergency. In order for this absence to be excused, a) You must notify me before class or on the day of the absence. b) The reason for the absence must be justifiable and for the most part unplanned and unavoidable. Doctor's appointments, vacations, family events, or conflicts with work schedules do not constitute excused absences.
•Under most circumstances, more than one excused absence or any unexcused absences will result in lowering your grade by one full letter. For example, if you were receiving an A in the course, the highest grade you could receive is a B. More than two excused absences are a serious cause for concern; they will necessitate a conference with me and may result in a failing grade for the course. As per university policy, "EXCESSIVE OR EXTENDED ABSENCES from class is sufficient reason for the instructor to recommend that the student be administratively dropped from the course."
•Arriving to class on time and prepared is also very important.  We will start class promptly each day. If you arrive more than 5 minutes late, or leave more than 5 minutes early, this will be noted.  3 or more late arrivals or early departures constitute an unexcused absence. Again, please be aware that excessive absences will result in significantly lowering your grade, and/or dropping you from the class.
•If you are sick or have an emergency that requires you to miss or be late for class, you should notify me as soon as possible (prior to class). You should make arrangements for another student to gather handouts and take notes for you. You are responsible for catching up on any missed material.
•All holidays or special events observed by organized religions will be honored for those students who show affiliation with that particular religion.  Absences pre-approved by the UA Dean of Students (or Dean's designee) will be honored (for example, absences required of athletes).
•Finally, this attendance policy also applies to your applications placements.  Your arrivals and departures along with attendance will be noted on a time sheet in the classroom.  If your tardies, early departures and absences in applications exceed the attendance policy described above, your grade will be lowered to a full grade in EACH of your courses.  For example, if you were receiving a B in each of your courses, you would receive a C in EACH of your courses.
•To earn a passing grade in your courses, you must successfully complete the associated application experience.  Successful completion involves attending practicum every week and making up missed hours, receiving positive evaluations from your cooperating teacher regarding your classroom performance and professionalism, and completing all required practicum assignments.

Poster presentation:  In assigned groups of 2-3, students will research a standardized assessment related to early childhood and present their findings to other students in a poster.  Students will share their poster with classmates on 5/3.

Signature assignment: The signature assignment will be a compiled portfolio of the graded cases, graded assignments, and reflection paper and turned in with the reflection paper.  A failing grade on the signature assignment will result in a failing grade for the course as required by the university, regardless of grades earned on other aspects of the course.

Assignments: Two assignments will be given in the semester.  These will consist of short papers or other individual creations.  More information on the assignments will be given through D2L.

Reflection paper: A paper reflecting on the class discussions and assignments will be individually constructed and submitted by 4/26.

Late Policy:  Cases/assignments/reflection paper turned in late for any reason and must be submitted within a week of the due date for half of earned credit.  Please see the instructor immediately if you have questions about late work.  You are encouraged to submit early!

Extra Credit/Bonus Points: Any opportunities for extra credit are at the discretion of the instructors.  Students will not be allowed to make up extra credit assignments.  Individual opportunities for extra credit will not be allowed.  The performance of the class as a whole will determine the need for extra credit.  Please do not contact the instructor to request extra credit.

Course Web Site: d2l.arizona.edu

Lecture notes, assignments, course-related information, and changes in the schedule will be posted to the course D2L web site as soon as the instructor can get to it.  It is advisable to check the web site at least weekly and within a few days of missed classes.  Every effort to keep the web site updated will be made.

Course Objectives: By the end of the semester, the successful student will be able to

• align assessments with instructional objectives;
• develop and evaluate tests and performance assessments;
• use and interpret grading and weighting strategies;
• interpret standardized tests;
• understand basic statistical properties and reliability and validity of tests and measurements; and
• apply course content to your profession as teachers.

Professional/State Standards Addressed:

The following Arizona Professional Teacher Standards will be addressed throughout the course:

• Standard 1: The teacher designs and plans instruction that develops students’ abilities to meet Arizona’s academic standards and the district’s assessment plan.
• Standard 2: The teacher creates and maintains a learning climate that supports the development of students’ abilities to meet Arizona’s academic standards.
• Standard 3: The teacher implements and manages instruction that develops students’ abilities to meet Arizona’s academic standards.
• Standard 4: The teacher assesses learning and communicates results to students, parents and other professionals with respect to students’ abilities to meet Arizona’s academic standards.
• Standard 8: The teacher demonstrates current professional knowledge sufficient to effectively design and plan instruction, implement and manage instruction, create and maintain an appropriate learning environment, and assess student learning.

Cheating Policy: Students who attempt to cheat or turn in another person's work as their own will receive a zero on that assignment or exam.  There may be additional penalties.  All students involved in the incident must see me in order to continue in this course. The University’s Code of Ethics and Conduct will be followed:  http://dos.web.arizona.edu/uapolicies/

Withdrawal Policy:  It is the student’s responsibility to get any necessary signatures to withdraw from the course.  Lack of attendance and failure to withdraw from class will result in a failing grade for the course.

Incomplete Policy: Occasionally, otherwise successful students meet with unfortunate and/or unforeseen circumstances that disrupt their academic progress. Students must have earned at least half of the available points in the course in order to be eligible to receive an incomplete grade, otherwise it is the students' responsibility to withdraw themselves.

The student must request the INC grade in person before noon on 3 May 2011. The student needs to be prepared to discuss the circumstances of the request and why s/he should be considered eligible for the INC grade.  The assignment of an INC grade is at the discretion of the instructor.  The INC grade will NOT be given to simply allow the student to raise a grade.

ADA Statement: As soon as possible, please let the instructor know of any conditions or circumstances that may affect your performance in this class.  If you have or suspect you have a disability, please contact the university’s disability resources center at http://drc.arizona.edu/ to arrange for accommodations.

Other Information: The instructor will make every attempt to follow the procedures and schedules provided in the syllabus, but reserve the right to make changes. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

This schedule may be revised based on the materials covered and the pace of the class. The class will be mostly lecture/discussion format with some in-class exercises and group work. The class will parallel the text readings, but each may offer information not presented in the other.

Please see the instructors immediately if you have any special concerns or needs that require consideration.

Your success in this course will depend on your ability to keep up with readings and assignments. If you get behind in the material, please come see me immediately so we can discuss options for catching up. Learning new material often depends on understanding of previous concepts. Please contact me if I can facilitate your understanding in any way.

Tentative Schedule