Memorial University DAI: NCTM's vision of mathematics assessment in the secondary school : issues and challenges

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Title	NCTM's vision of mathematics assessment in the secondary school : issues and challenges
Author	Sparkes, Joanne J., 1970-
Description	Thesis (M.Ed.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 1999. Education
Date	1999
Pagination	1 v. (various pagings)
Subject	National Council of Teachers of Mathematics; Mathematics--Study and teaching (Secondary); Students--Rating of; Educational tests and measurements
Degree	M.Ed.
Degree Grantor	Memorial University of Newfoundland. Faculty of Education
Discipline	Education
Language	eng
Notes	Includes bibliographical references. Paper one: Recent reform efforts in mathematics education: implications for student assessment -- Paper two: Student assessment "Instruments": aligning their uses with instruction -- Paper three: Challenges facing assessment reform implementation: where do we go from here?
Abstract	Most places one treads within the mathematics education arena there is either direct or indirect reference to two National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) documents: Curriculum and Evaluation Standards for School Mathematics and Assessment Standards for School Mathematics. These documents place strong emphasis on mathematics as communication, reasoning, problem solving, and making connections as well as the idea that students learn best in active student-centered classrooms as opposed to more traditional passive settings. Consequently, NCTM advocates a call for change in many components of traditional mathematics teaching, including the manner in which teachers instruct and assess students. -- Folio Paper One summarizes the major recent reform efforts in mathematics education as advocated by NCTM. Sources of current theory, research, and practice are cited that adhere to the philosophical underpinnings of NCTM regarding curriculum reform. The paper examines the evolution of learning theory research as it pertains to mathematics reform efforts and, more specifically, mathematics assessment reform efforts. The paper evolves into an examination of assessment reform including NCTM's Assessment Standards and the proposed shifts in assessment practices. The varied purposes of assessment are also addressed. -- Folio Paper Two describes the necessity, stemming from a constructivist framework of learning, to change both the manner in which teachers elicit evidence of students' mathematical thinking and the way they use that evidence to monitor students' progress and guide instructional decision making. Emphasis is placed on the idea that expanding the purposes of assessment beyond accountability and assigning grades becomes an asset to all those involved in the assessment process. Various forms of alternate assessment are described and supported with examples of current research and practice. The assessment "instruments" described include: journal writing, open-ended problems, interviews, formal and informal observations, portfolios, self-assessment, and teacher-made and other tests. The paper concludes by focusing on some of the advantages of multiple forms of assessment. -- Folio Paper Three discusses many of the challenges facing teachers in the area of mathematics assessment: (1) the challenge of teachers removing themselves from some of the comforts they have in their traditional practices; (2) the challenge of teachers becoming comfortable with designing alternate assessment "instruments'' and recording and reporting information obtained from their use; (3) the challenge of teachers juggling demands placed on their time; (4) the challenge of teachers meeting external expectations while simultaneously remaining accountable for their actions; (5) the challenge that teachers, like students, are active constructors of their practice and, hence, it will be difficult for them to implement the assessment ideas that NCTM advocates if their vision of mathematics education is distinctly different from that of NCTM; and (6) the challenge of building and sustaining a constructivist classroom environment necessary to support alternate assessment initiatives. All of these challenges are addressed within the context of current theory, research, and practice. Finally, the paper provides a potential developmental agenda for teachers in their efforts at overcoming such challenges.
Type	Text
Resource Type	Electronic thesis or dissertation
Format	Image/jpeg; Application/pdf
Source	Paper copy kept in the Centre for Newfoundland Studies, Memorial University Libraries
Local Identifier	a1395884
Rights	The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission.
Collection	Electronic Theses and Dissertations
Scanning Status	Completed
PDF File	(10.46 MB) -- http://collections.mun.ca/PDFs/theses/Sparkes_JoanneJ.pdf
CONTENTdm file name	63625.cpd