Hi Inky -
Thanks for the quote. I think that this person is talking about tests that teachers give at the end of units. Wow - I just got a great idea. What if with every Math Test, there was an optional section that tested knowledge that is planned to be taught in the next segment, so that the teacher would know where each child stands.
I also like how directly the writer states her preconceptions: 'how is each student doig on her or his journey up the scaffolding leading to each standard?'
This is exactly the kind of thinking that messes our kids up sometime, although sometimes it's exactly what is needed. but, too often, by the time the knowledge is pinned to a scaffold, it's sliced and diced too small to have any joy left to help a child learn. Or our dear Gifties are taking an alternate developmental path again, and are 'ready' to learn algebra before they are developmentally ready to memorize Math Facts.
Just some thoughts....
Now, give me an achievement test that can accurately assess what a child knows and what a child is ready to learn - and then we have a really useful tool.
Smiles,
Grinity
