Question 1

The primary purpose of assessing student literacy is:
A) to determine report card grades.
B) for reporting to parents.
C) to plan instruction.
D) to make sure benchmarks are being met.

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose of assessing student literacy is to plan instruction. This means that assessments are being used to gain a better understanding of students' strengths and weaknesses in literacy so that teachers can design targeted lessons and activities to support student learning. While assessments can be used to determine report card grades, this is not their primary purpose. Assessments can also be used to report to parents and monitor progress towards benchmarks, but these are secondary reasons for assessment.

Question 2

Which of the following assessment techniques is best for gaining insights about student attitudes and habits?
A) running records
B) checklists
C) literature groups
D) records of independent reading and writing

Accepted Answer

Records of independent reading and writing are the best choice for gaining insights about student attitudes and habits. These records provide information about the books students choose to read, the topics they are interested in, and the amount of time they spend reading and writing outside of class. This data can be used to inform instruction and support students' literacy development. Running records and checklists are useful for assessing students' reading and writing skills, while literature groups are focused on students' discussions of texts and their collaboration with peers.

Question 3

What role does assessment play in instruction?
A) Assessment is an integral part of instruction.
B) Assessment is separate from instruction.
C) Assessment follows instruction.
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Assessment is an integral part of instruction because it provides information on student learning and helps teachers adjust their instruction to better meet the needs of their students. Assessment can take many forms, including formative assessments that provide feedback during the learning process and summative assessments that measure student achievement at the end of a unit or course. By using assessment data to inform their teaching, educators can ensure that they are providing the necessary support and resources to help all students reach their full potential.

Question 4

Running records help teachers determine:
A) students' use of reading strategies.
B) what students need to learn.
C) appropriate levels of text.
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

Running records are a tool used by teachers to gather data on students' reading abilities, including but not limited to their use of reading strategies, areas where they may need additional instruction or support, and appropriate levels of text. Therefore, all of the options presented are benefits of using running records.

Question 5

Which of the following is not an example of formal assessment?
A) spelling test
B) interest inventory
C) state standards test
D) test to accompany a published program

Accepted Answer

An interest inventory is an example of an informal assessment because it is not used to measure specific skills or performance related to a particular curriculum or educational standard. Instead, it is used to gather information about a student's interests, preferences, and strengths. The other options listed are examples of formal assessments because they are designed to evaluate specific knowledge or skills in a structured, standardized format.

Question 6

The process of making a judgment about a student's performance is called:
A) grading.
B) assessment.
C) standardized testing.
D) evaluation.

Accepted Answer

Evaluation is the process of making a judgment about a student's performance, while grading is assigning a score or letter, assessment is gathering information, and standardized testing is a specific type of assessment.

Question 7

Which of the following assessment techniques is best for assessing student development in decoding?
A) fluency checks
B) retellings
C) rubrics
D) observation

Accepted Answer

Fluency checks are the best assessment technique for assessing student development in decoding as it measures the accuracy and speed of a student's reading. Retellings, rubrics, and observation focus on other aspects of reading comprehension, such as understanding and analysis, and do not specifically target decoding skills.

Question 8

Which statement best reflects your textbook authors' view?
A) A reading specialist should carry out assessment whenever possible.
B) Assessment is a dynamic and interactive process that is an integral part of instruction.
C) The best time to assess is at the end of each grading period.
D) The assessment that accompanies the basal reading program is a sufficient measure of literacy.

Accepted Answer

The authors' view is that assessment is a dynamic and interactive process that should be a part of instruction. They do not suggest that assessment should only be done by a reading specialist, that it should only be done at the end of grading periods, or that the assessment from a basal reading program is sufficient.

Question 9

The primary purpose for assessing student literacy is:
A) determining report card grades.
B) reporting to parents.
C) planning instruction.
D) meeting benchmarks.

Accepted Answer

The primary purpose for assessing student literacy is planning instruction. While grades, reporting to parents, and meeting benchmarks are all important outcomes of assessing literacy, the main goal is to determine what each individual student needs in terms of literacy instruction in order to improve and grow in their reading and writing skills.

Question 10

A process interview can determine:
A) how students think about their reading.
B) how many books a student has read.
C) if students enjoy reading.
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of A process interview can determine:
A) how students...

Question 11

Which of the following statements is true?
A) If letter grades are given, evaluation must be viewed as not being subjective.
B) Averages of numerical grades derived from classroom tests reflect classroom learning.
C) Numerical averages from worksheets and workbooks reflect what students are learning.
D) Averages of numerical grades from worksheets, workbooks, and tests do not reflect students' classroom learning.

Accepted Answer

Averages of numerical grades from worksheets, workbooks, and tests do not necessarily reflect students' classroom learning because they may not capture the full range of skills and understanding that students have acquired.

Question 12

The process of gathering information about students' performance is called:
A) grading.
B) assessment.
C) standardization.
D) evaluation.

Accepted Answer

Grading refers specifically to giving a numerical or letter grade to a student's performance, while assessment is a broader term that encompasses the ongoing process of gathering information about a student's learning and progress. Standardization generally refers to ensuring consistency and fairness in assessment practices, while evaluation involves making judgments based on assessment data.

Question 13

Why should effective assessment identify student strengths?
A) Grade assignment should always be based on strengths.
B) A student's literacy develops by doing what he/she already knows while getting support in learning new strategies and techniques.
C) If we know a student's strengths, we can ignore them and focus on weaknesses.
D) Students should never be asked to do anything they don't already know how to do.

Accepted Answer

Effective assessment should identify student strengths so that teachers can use those strengths to support the student's learning of new strategies and techniques. This approach to assessment and teaching ensures that the student is building on what they already know, which is crucial for their literacy development. It is not about ignoring strengths and only focusing on weaknesses, but rather leveraging strengths to support growth and progress in all areas.

Question 14

In a comprehensive balanced literacy classroom, teachers should use:
A) formal assessment.
B) informal assessment.
C) a combination of formal and informal assessment.
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

A comprehensive balanced literacy classroom should utilize a combination of formal and informal assessment to monitor student progress and adapt instruction to meet the needs of individual students. Formal assessments, such as standardized tests, can provide important information about overall achievement and progress relative to grade-level expectations. However, informal assessments, such as observations of student work and discussions, can provide valuable insight into student thinking and understanding on a day-to-day basis. By using both types of assessment, teachers can ensure that they are providing effective instruction and support for all students.

Question 15

Isolated skill testing:
A) is the basis for reteaching.
B) reflects the processes of reading and writing.
C) both a and b
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Isolated skill testing does not inherently serve as the basis for reteaching nor does it reflect the processes of reading and writing, which are more holistic and integrated activities.

Question 16

Assessment activities that reflect literacy in the community, the workplace, and the classroom are called:
A) formal assessment.
B) standardized assessment.
C) authentic assessment.
D) reflective assessment.

Accepted Answer

Authentic assessment activities reflect real-life literacy skills and experiences that are relevant to the community, workplace, and classroom. They often involve tasks that require higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills, such as writing a letter, creating a presentation, or participating in a group discussion. Formal and standardized assessments are often more focused on testing specific knowledge or skills, while reflective assessments involve self-evaluation and analysis of one's own learning.

Question 17

The authors of your textbook say that effective assessment is multidimensional, meaning that it should be based on:
A) several different literacy tasks.
B) observation.
C) teacher judgment.
D) all of the above

Accepted Answer

Effective assessment should be based on several different literacy tasks to get a comprehensive picture of a student's skills and needs. Observation is also an important part of assessment, allowing educators to see how students approach tasks and identify areas where they may struggle. Finally, teacher judgment can provide valuable insight into a student's progress and help guide instructional decisions. Combining these three elements can lead to more effective assessment practices.

Question 18

Asking a student to retell a story is called:
A) evaluating.
B) assessing.
C) discussing.
D) none of the above

Accepted Answer

Asking a student to retell a story is a form of assessing their comprehension and understanding of the story.

Question 19

"Second graders will read orally in grade-appropriate text" is an example of a:
A) benchmark.
B) procedure.
C) grade score.
D) percentile.

Accepted Answer

"Second graders will read orally in grade-appropriate text" is a benchmark, which is a specific, measurable standard used to assess students' learning and academic achievements. It is used as a guide for teachers to measure their students' progress and ensure they are meeting grade-level expectations.

Question 20

Using test procedures that require mastery of a given level or set of words:
A) eliminates inequities based on socioeconomic backgrounds.
B) is the best way to keep cultural bias out of the testing program.
C) is the only way to be sure students have met standards.
D) is completely contrary to what we know about how children learn.

Accepted Answer

Such test procedures do not account for the diverse ways children learn and develop skills, including the influence of their cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. They assume a uniform learning path that does not reflect the reality of individual learning differences.

Quiz 3: Assessment and Evaluation That Informs Instruction

The primary purpose of assessing student literacy is:

Which of the following assessment techniques is best for gaining insights about student attitudes and habits?

What role does assessment play in instruction?

Running records help teachers determine:

Which of the following is not an example of formal assessment?

The process of making a judgment about a student's performance is called:

Which of the following assessment techniques is best for assessing student development in decoding?

Which statement best reflects your textbook authors' view?

The primary purpose for assessing student literacy is:

A process interview can determine:

Which of the following statements is true?

The process of gathering information about students' performance is called:

Why should effective assessment identify student strengths?

In a comprehensive balanced literacy classroom, teachers should use:

Isolated skill testing:

Assessment activities that reflect literacy in the community, the workplace, and the classroom are called:

The authors of your textbook say that effective assessment is multidimensional, meaning that it should be based on:

Asking a student to retell a story is called:

"Second graders will read orally in grade-appropriate text" is an example of a:

Using test procedures that require mastery of a given level or set of words: