Better Learning Starts With Better Assessments
You may know that MCESA offers multiple choice and performance assessments of pre- and post-assessments in a variety of subjects, but have your heard about MCESA's assessments workshops? Click below to hear about how MCESA's assessment workshops can guide you through this sometimes challenging, but important, aspect of teaching.
Performance Assessments Support PE, Visual and Performing Arts
 MCESA has a selection of performance assessments for fine arts and physical education courses. The assessments have undergone a rigorous development process to ensure their reliability and validity.
Purchase includes a PDF of the Test Administration Manual and an Excel file of the data capture tools used in the assessment. To order assessments, please complete the attached form and submit to Laura.Harnish@mcesa.maricopa. For more information, contact Laura via email or call her at 602-506-2550.
|
A Foundation of Instruction: Start with the Correct Level of Difficulty
The best instruction starts with a great plan. Great plans include solid objectives that are written at the correct level of difficulty for the students.
Not too hard. Not too easy.
Teachers have to know what students can do- and what they know- in order to do this. That’s where a pre-assessment comes in.
Creating a pre-assessment takes thought and work, but can be broken down into the following manageable steps:
Step One. Start with the standards or district-pacing guides.
Select a standard that:
- students have not yet learned.
- is significant in learning.
- is in the logical progression of content development.
Example standard: Determine the main idea of a text and explain how it is supported by key details; summarize the text. ELA 4.RI.2
Upcoming Professional Development
Jan. 15: Words: The Building Blocks of Communication, AZCCRS ELA Phase 2
We know teaching vocabulary can be difficult. Which
words? How many? What techniques will really help my students to internalize
and use new words? After this
course, you will return to your classroom with
research-based, practical, and engaging ideas to use immediately. You may even learn a new word or two yourself!
Jan. 29: Writing Paragraphs, AZCCRS ELA Phase 2
Equip yourself with the skills to help your students master the paragraph. Learn
about stand-alone
paragraphs
and how they will improve your students’ writing and reading skills…and
simplify your life in the process.
Feb. 2-3: K-12 Grade Content: Questioning in the Classroom, AZCCRS Mathematics Phase 2
Discover
what students think, then monitor and adjust instruction according to student
needs throughout the lesson using skills gained in this workshop. Move from
good to great teaching by learning how to use real intention and the strategic
use of questioning. You’ll learn to leverage mathematically powerful questions
in planning, instructing, and assessing to further the understanding of ALL
students.
Feb. 5: Writing Essays: Persuasive and Argument, AZCCRS ELA Phase 2
Struggling
with differentiating persuasion from argument? Feel confident in teaching
argument, a shift from the persuasive writing usually taught in the past, with
this workshop. Teachers in grades 5-9 will especially benefit from this class
as they interact and write all in order to impart their knowledge to students.
Feb. 11-12: Response to Intervention in Mathematics, AZCCRS Mathematics Phase 3
You
may have experienced a general Response to Intervention (RTI) training before,
but you’ll gain a deeper understanding and in-depth concrete ideas for applying
RTI directly to your work with this two-day workshop specifically focused on RTI
in math. We’ll explore what effective structures for instruction can be used in
all three tiers and what roles teachers, coaches and special educators have in
those tiers. You’ll leave with examples of Tier 2 and 3 session materials and
the ability to implement RTI into your classroom.
From Our Partners
Phoenix Suns & Southwest Airlines Symbol of Freedom Contest
It’s back!! Southwest Airlines and the Phoenix Suns are teaming up again to bring your seventh-grade students the “Symbol of Freedom” Art & Essay Contest! The contest is open to all seventh graders in Maricopa County, and it gives your students a chance to earn the field trip of a lifetime!
This year, we will be traveling March 4 - 7, 2015 to Brooklyn, NY to tour one of our nation’s “Symbols of Freedom.”
Ten (10) contest winners plus one (1) parent/legal guardian each will receive:
- Round trip airfare on Southwest Airlines to Brooklyn, NY
- Hotel accommodations for a three night stay in Brooklyn, NY (double occupancy)
- Tours of national museums and historic landmarks
- Tickets to the Phoenix Suns @ Brooklyn Nets game on March 6th, 2015
Artwork Guidelines & Contest Official Rules
Art & Essay Contest Essay Form
Student Information / Release Form
Principal Letter
Digital Curriculum Strategy Discussion
 The majority of schools have
sizable investments in digital learning content, but what else is out there?
What's new in educational curriculum publishing? What is a digital curriculum
strategy anyway? How does one lead forward effectively as a senior executive in
a district or school? What are the device, network and storage implications?
Acquisition and management of
curriculum strategy now that it crosses with tech is exciting and different.
Other States have offered continuing education units for this unique meeting.
Plan to attend to start bringing order to your school or district’s transition
to digital curriculum, set goals and learn about new planning issues.
What will happen during
the day? At the Discussion, a special
intro to strategy by The Learning Counsel kicks off the day.
Special "Show &
Discuss" presentations get the wheels turning for what’s industry current.
Attendees are asked to consider each from different angles and think about
impact on strategy for that type of technology.
We complete the day with:
• Workshops with helpful discussions about different areas of curriculum
strategy.
• Executive Panel: Special guest panelists for the final hour to an audience of
all other district invitees and vendors.
• Networking Time.
| 
