Week 1 Reading - The Possibility of Change

When I talk about technology integration into the the classroom with my teachers one of the first things they ask me about is how are they going to grade the projects and how this relates to the test. However in our district we are changing the way we "measure" student performance. In grades K - 2 they use the SBAR which is a Standards Based Assessment Report. It bascially a checklist of how students are performing one the Sunshine State Standards for the grade level. It consist of 4- consistant/independant,
3 - meets standard, 2- sometimes meets standard, 1 - seldom meets standard, and there is a mark if standard has not been taught.The student's progress through these standards are monitored throughout the school year. The district plans to incorporate this report card to the 5th grade level. This has required teachers to change the way they measure their students. It would be hard for me to use the current A,B,C grading structure to accomplish this. Project-Based learning would allow the students the show that they have consistently and independently mastered the content. I have shared this with the teachers in the other grade levels however they are reluctant to change from the old paper and pencil test. I must assume they are still in the survival mode. There will come a time when they will have to change. Until then I just provide opportunities for the teachers to make small shifts toward a different way of teaching.


I love the story of the shoe salesmen in the first chapter. About 5 years ago our district started moving toward more web-based programs. Our Integrated Learning System - Compass Odyssey was web-based which meant that students could work on the programs at home and the parents could monitor their students work form home. The district also offered ele-web which allowed the parent the opportunity to check student's grades from home. There were other web-based programs we were using. I asked the previous administration if I could have a media night to be able to show the parents all of the different products and services we had to offer but they didn't want to because only 30% of our population had computers or access to the web.(We did a survey) This percentage didn't justify the time of having a meeting. This would also require teachers to keep their gradebook which was electronic up to date. We did however inform parents of the services through our newsletters. Now 5 years later 70% of our population with computers and access to the web. Our parents demand access to their students grades and they also want to know what technology services we provide to help their students. I also find that students want to know the addresses to the different websites they use in school. I live in a "Field of Dreams". I believe "if you build it they will come".

"Giving an A" There is hope we can move beyond assigning a "grade" to our accomplishments. The students in his class had write why they got that "A". The letters seem to list things they wish to accomplish and some they didn't but did along the way. So why not start off with that list and check off when a goal has been achieved. Students can set goals and monitor their progress. Although "Giving an A" would be a change for the better challenging ourselves to achieve has a greater impact. When I decided to go back to school I did it because I wanted to gain knowledge that would impact my students and my teachers. I feel I have done that. I have already incorporated some of the things I have learned. I may have an "A" but the knowledge I have gained and the changes I have made in my career mean so much more.