Tools for Schools, February/March 2001, Vol. 4, No. 4
Group-wise: Strategies for examining student work together
By Joan Richardson
Examining student work has always been part of a teacher\'s job. But, in recent years, that practice has moved from being a solitary activity to being a more collaborative effort in which teachers learn about their practice by sharing with and listening to colleagues.
Tuning protocol
The Tuning Protocol was developed by the Coalition of Essential Schools to provide teachers with feedback on authentic assessments (exhibitions, portfolios, etc.). A teacher or a team of teachers presents samples of student work and the context for the work. The presenter then offers a focusing question. After reviewing the work, participants offer feedback.
Collaborative assessment conference
Developed by Harvard\'s Project Zero, the Collaborative Assessment Conference provides a structure for groups of teachers to look closely at student work, describe it, ask questions about it, and explore implications for instruction. In this practice, describing the assignment and other context factors for the student work is not discussed until participants have described the work and asked questions about it.
Standards in practice
Standards in Practice was developed by The Education Trust as a \"quality control\'\' tool for analyzing and improving the quality of instruction. SIP is typically used in bi-monthly meetings of small teams of teachers, guidance counsellors, and parents. The process calls for a close examination of teachers\' assignments, student work, and the relevant standard or set of standards.
Descriptive review
Several variations exist for the Descriptive Review. All of them feature a close, collaborative description of a student\'s work as well as the child who created that work. A teacher typically requests a review because he or she has questions about the child. Any artefact of student work can be the subject of a descriptive review as long as participants can view it during their discussion.
Resources for learning more about examining student work
