Standard IV: Assessment and Evaluation Reflection

Standard IV, assessment and evaluation, is for me very similar to many of the first few standards in that I have previously had done very little or nothing within that standard before. Thankfully during the classes I have been forced to use this standard when creating professional development classes and have been able to use the data to create these classes. The use of this data makes me understand how important that it is that the student information be available and current for the teachers and administrators. Like I stated earlier, I have never had to use student information for what I do, but I now understand, why it is needed and how to use it effectively. Understanding this standard when looking for information made me realize how important technology was in this, and how technology plays such a huge role in easy retrieval and storage of this information as well as using this information to make changes within the school or district.

My strategy when implementing this standard was to ensure that I was able to use the information that I gathered about students from various reports to create a professional development class that could help low scoring groups of kids. Although I did not actually host the class I did present the class to the principal and the head of the math department for the school, both of whom said that they class looked great and that it could be used at a later time. This positive reinforcement from professionals in the educational field was wonderful and helped me know that I used the information correctly and created a class that would address the low scoring students in the report. Going forward I have more confidence that I can first obtain the student data and analyze it correctly, then I can use that data to create professional development classes for the teachers that will address the needs of the campus. This knowledge will help me be a more active employee in areas of the school that I have historically not been involved with.

The biggest challenge that I see moving forward is that I will become entrenched in my work and not be able to focus on other areas such as viewing data and helping create classes with that information. I am part of a very small technology team within a school district that has an immense amount of technology, and because of this my day is pretty busy and analyzing student data is usually not on my list of things to do. Taking the classes has forced me out of my comfort zone and made me set aside time so that I can perform different task, I just hope that that trend will not stop after I graduate.

Williamson, J., & Redish, T. (2009). ISTE's Technology Facilitation and Leadership Standards. Washington D.C.: International Society for Technology in Education.