In the Columbus Diocese, we have made a deliberate, and conscious committment to incorporate standards-based teaching and learning practices in our classrooms. These practices support our essential obligation to provide our students with more than just a rigorous academic curriculum to prepare them for high school, college and beyond. Catholic education must also prepare students to take their place in society as Disciples of Christ; instilling in them a sense of service and challenging them to live the Gospel through daily interactions with all whom they come in contact. Therefore, our focus should be placed on both the student’s moral and intellectual excellence.
There are several advantages of standards-based education:
"In standards-based districts and schools, commonly expected, research-based instructional methods and strategies are used to deliver the standards-aligned curriculum and ensure students have adequate and equitable opportunities to learn. . . Consequently, a strong emphasis on ensuring effective classroom instruction is delivered in every classroom, every day is critical to deliver a high-quality, engaging standards-based education to every child." (Colorado Coalition of Standards-Based Education, 2012 pg. 22)
What are the components needed for a standards-based classroom, including what does it look like/feel like/sound like when it is meeting the needs of students?
Assessment Type | Purpose |
Diagnostic | Assessment that takes place prior to instruction; designed to determine a student’s attitude, skills or knowledge in order to identify student needs (e.g. pretest). |
Formative: Assessment FOR Learning |
Assessment designed to provide direction for improvement and/or adjustment to a program for individual students or for a whole class (e.g. observation, quizzes, homework, instructional questions, and initial drafts/attempts). |
Summative: Assessment OF Learning |
Assessment designed to provide information to be used in making judgements about a student’s achievement at the end of a sequence of instruction (e.g. tests, exams, portfolios, assignments, projects, performances, and final drafts/attempts) |