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Does our diagnostic assessment give valuable writing and grammar information?

Published January 16, 2008 Accountability , Achievement , Assess , Assessment , Diagnostic , ELA , English , Learn , Test , Writing , assessment for learning , learning , write Leave a Comment
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I spoke of a teacher who gives a three hour grammar diagnostic test.  I tried a different route.  I gave an essay writing diagnostic and I recorded each grammar and  writing errors or proficiencies on a chart as I read each student’s paper. When I finished, I looked for patterns.  Their diagnostic assessment took 45 minutes for them to do and about 30 minutes for me to read and record.  I found that out of all of my students that there was only one “grammar”learning gap that three students shared and that was spelling.  There were a few learning gaps that two students shared.  The writing diagnostic revealed that they could use grammar fairly well; it did not interfere withe the comprehension of what they wrote. Their biggest learning gap was not in grammar but in their actual writing.  About 80% of the class lacked specific examples to prove their points. I  will focus on writing and teach grammar when I see specific needs.

What powerful diagnostics do you give?

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« Diagnostic Testing for Vocabulary
Creating writing handouts that help students think »

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