There is impressive evidence in this book of how much more can be learned about
pupils' progress from narrative records as well as strong feedback from parents
and mentors.
—Myra Barrs, Author of The Primary Language Record
Faced with the limitations of traditional testing, teachers across the country
are searching for new ways to make students' achievement in the classroom count
for more—a system of measurement that recognizes difference and reflects the
full range of linguistic and cultural experiences. Assessing Literacy with
the Learning Record is that tool, presenting a framework that translates
teachers' observations into a disciplined, systematic, standards-based reporting
process.
Taking the best of the British Primary Language Record (Heinemann, 1989),
and revising it for American teachers, Mary Barr and her colleagues have created
an assessment system that recognizes contributions form all stakeholders in the
process. Teacher narratives, samples of student work, and interviews with
parents combine to provide comprehensive evidence of students' progress toward
agreed-upon goals and standards. Teachers summarize and record this information,
using it both to inform their won teaching and to provide a more uniform and
quantifiable record of literacy achievement.
Assessing Literacy with the Learning Record includes
all of the materials needed to begin using the Learning Record. It offers clear
explanations of each part of the Learning Record; guidelines for observing and
recording student activity; and examples from actual learning records kept by
classroom teachers. The book includes a complete set of reproducible forms for
compiling and organizing evidence of progress in talking, listening, reading,
and writing, as well as reading and writing developmental scales to guide
teaching and learning during the year and provide a summary evaluation at year's
end.
Contents:
Introduction
Part A: Documenting
Prior Experience
Part B: Documenting Student Learning
Part C: Reflecting on the Year's Work
Classroom Organization and Management
Professional Development
Appendices
A. Reading and Writing Scales
B. Stages of English Language Learning
C. School Performance Scale
D. The Learning Record (Elementary)