4 Ps of Assessment

4 Ps of Assessment  

I have been asked to provide extra support for a new elementary data team. Yea! They need some help with the 4 Ps of Assessment.  You may wonder what the 4 Ps of Assessment are. So did my team. The exciting news is that the 4 Ps answer the bigger question of our new reality as special educators. WHY DO WE TEST SO MUCH?  Well, I will tell you why: because each type of assessment we give serves a different and equally important purpose.  We use a Predicting assessment at the beginning of the year, beginning of a unit, or getting a new student to get a baseline for where that child is functioning.  We use a Planning assessment to identify strengths, weaknesses, and skill gaps at any time of the year.  Progress Monitoring assessment is a formative assessment that is used year-round to measure gains and guide instruction. Performance assessments are used at the end of units, courses, or the year as outcome or summative measures of accomplishments. 

I don't know if you will love or hate me for this, but you can use the 4 Ps for emotional/behavioral skills, too; it's not just for academics!

Now that you know why we assess, I bet you are wondering how you can get your hands on some assessment materials. Below is a list with links to a variety of assessment tools and resources. Some you may know, others you may not. Academic assessments are first. Behavior assessments are second, as they are likely to be less familiar and need some explanation.  Although I aimed to find free resources, some of the academic resources require paid membership. They are marked with **. All of the emotional/behavioral resources are free.

ACADEMIC ASSESSMENT TOOLS/ RESOURCES

Predicting-Screening assessments are conducted with all students to provide information about their knowledge and skill bases.

Examples

aimswebplus benchmarking**,FastBridge screening **, easyCBM benchmarking, DIBELS benchmarking, District Screening Assessments (eValuate **,iReady **,Galileo **)

Planning-Diagnostic assessments are used to identify specific strengths 

and weaknesses, or specific skill gaps.

Examples

Running records, placement tests for intervention programs, Jerry Johns Basic Reading Inventory **, authentic assessment, student reflection, working/growth portfolios, DRA test scores with skill analysis **, a videotape of the student.

multi area diagnostic tools- intensive intervention

Progress Monitoring- More frequent, formative assessments that help 

determine whether students are making adequate progress and guides 

ongoing modification of instruction.

Examples

aimswebplus benchmarking**, FastBridge screening**, easyCBM benchmarking, DIBELS benchmarking, a videotape of a student, tape-recorded samples (of reading), student self-evaluation and feedback, process/progress/growth portfolios. 

Performance-Mastery or outcome assessment to provide data about existing accomplishments and program evaluation.

Examples

State exams (MAP/MAP-A/EOC), end of a unit or course examination, showcase portfolios

BEHAVIOR/SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL ASSESSMENT TOOLS AND RESOURCES

Predicting-Screening assessments are conducted with all students to provide information about their knowledge and skill bases.

Examples

Student Risk Screening Scale-Internalizing and Externalizing (SRSS-IE): The Student Risk Screening Scale-Internalizing and Externalizing (SRSS-IE) is a free access tool that measures both the original externalizing behaviors and, more recently, internalizing behaviors.  All items are rated by the teacher on the same 4 point Likert-type scale: never=0, occasionally=1, sometimes =2, frequently = 3. Items include the original seven items (steal, lie, cheat, steal, behavior problems, peer rejection, low academic achievement, negative attitude, and aggressive behavior.  Newly added questions include emotionally flat, shy/withdrawn, sad/depressed, anxious, and lonely. 

Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ): is a free-access screening tool for use with students ages 2-17. The SDQ allows schools to determine how students are progressing over time. The 25-item SDQ screening tool is available in many languages. One page is completed for each student, asking for 25 attributes rated on a 3 point Likert-type scale. 0=not true, 1=somewhat true, 2=certainly true. The 25 characteristics divide between five scales: 1. Emotional Symptoms, 2. Conduct Problems, 3. Hyperactivity/Inattention, 4. Peer Relationship Problems, 5. Prosocial Behaviors and Total Difficulties. The SDQ considers input from the teacher, parent, and student perspectives. (Lane, Menzies, Oakes, & Kalberg, 2012)

Planning-Diagnostic assessments are used to identify specific strengths and weaknesses or specific skill gaps.

Examples

PBIS World FBA tools, basic FBA data collection tools, PBIS World Data Tracking tools, 

Progress Monitoring- More frequent, formative assessments that help 

determine whether students are making adequate progress and guides 

ongoing modification of instruction.

multi area diagnostic tools-intensive intervention

Examples

Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), PBIS World Data Tracking tools, Direct Behavior Ratings (DBR), Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC). The ATEC was developed to assess the effects of treatment on individuals with Autism and has been used to monitor the general well-being of an individual over time. The ATEC consists of four subtests: Speech/Language Communication, Sociability, Sensory/Cognitive Awareness, and Health/Physical/Behavior.

Performance-Mastery or outcome assessment to provide data about existing accomplishments and program evaluation.

Examples

student led IEP conferences, Soft skills on report cards (attitude/work habits)