The Myth of Average

As we continue our work with curriculum development and design, we recognize that we must remove barriers and ensure the content is accessible to all learners.  The TEDx Talk linked below by Todd Rose articulates this necessity.

I encourage you to watch this talk and consider how it impacts our work as educators.

Todd Rose: The Myth of Average (TEDx)

Mr. Rose shares the story of the U.S. Air Force design of the cockpit  for the average pilot and makes a connection to an education system’s design for an average student.  He challenges us to to wonder: Does there exist an average student?  If not, then if we design for the average student, we design for nobody.  We must recognize that students vary in each dimension and we must respond accordingly.  As Mr. Rose says – Ban the average. Design to the edges.

link: http://ed.ted.com/on/4s8O5loM

K-2 Diagnostic Assessments for Mathematics (FREE & Aligned to the TEKS)

The information in this post is also available on Texas Gateway for Online Resources by TEA (link: https://www.texasgateway.org/resource/k%E2%80%932-diagnostic-assessments-0)

About the K–2 Diagnostic Assessments

Two types of diagnostic tools are available to K–2 math teachers: a rapid assessment tool and a flexible interview assessment. These tools were developed by Texas A&M University and national early childhood math expert Dr. Herb Ginsberg of Columbia University.

The rapid assessment offers a quick gauge of students' mathematical ability through teacher observation of the given task. The rapid assessment also includes possible interpretations of student thinking, areas to address, and implications for further instruction. The flexible interview technique offers a deeper understanding of student cognitive ability based on underlying research in the area of the questioning strategy.  Together these tools add to teacher capabilities at the important early grades and allow educators to more effectively measure a student’s grasp of key math concepts.

The assessments and accompanying materials, which were created as part of the 2008 Math TEKS Connections (MTC) initiative, are available below.

All MTC materials including lessons, Rapid Task Assessments, and Flexible Interview materials are Copyright © Texas Education Agency and Texas A&M University, 2008, and may not be used in any manner inconsistent with the MTC general copyright statement.

Kindergarten Rapid Assessments

The Rapid Task Assessment provides a quick and easy method for assessing students in the classroom regarding their progress toward meeting the TEKS. The assessment can be administered to individual students or in small groups. All of the Rapid Task Assessments are TEKS-aligned.

• Rapid Task Assessments for Kindergarten (all)
• Rapid Task Assessment for K(2)(B) and K(2)(C) (Option 1)
• Rapid Task Assessment for K(2)(B) and K(2)(C) (Option 2)
• Rapid Task Assessment for K(2)(G)
• Rapid Task Assessment for K(3)(A)
• Rapid Task Assessment for K(5)(A)
• Rapid Task Assessment for K(6)(A)
• Rapid Task Assessment for K(6)(E)
• Rapid Task Assessment for K(7)(B)

Grade 1 Rapid Assessments

The Rapid Task Assessment provides a quick and easy method for assessing students in the classroom regarding their progress toward meeting the TEKS. The assessment can be administered to individual students or in small groups. All of the Rapid Task Assessments are TEKS-aligned.

• Rapid Task Assessments for Grade 1 (all)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 1(2)(B)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 1(2)(C)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 1(2)(E)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 1(2)(F)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 1(3)(C)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 1(4)(C)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 1(5)(B)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 1(6)(A)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 1(6)(D)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 1(6)(E)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 1(7)(E)

Grade 2 Rapid Assessments

The Rapid Task Assessment provides a quick and easy method for assessing students in the classroom regarding their progress toward meeting the TEKS. The assessment can be administered to individual students or in small groups. All of the Rapid Task Assessments are TEKS-aligned.

• Rapid Task Assessments for Grade 2 (all)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 2(2)(A)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 2(2)(B)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 2(2)(D) (Option 1)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 2(2)(D) (Option 2)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 2(2)(E)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 2(3)(A)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 2(3)(B)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 2(3)(D)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 2(4)(A)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 2(5)(A) and 2(5)(B)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 2(7)(A)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 2(8)(B)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 2(9)(A)
• Rapid Task Assessment for 2(9)(G)

Flexible Interview Materials

The MTC team has created a set of materials to assist in conducting Flexible Interviews. These materials guide educators through the process of carrying out each step of the Flexible Interview and include questions that will help to investigate the student's knowledge.

• Flexible Interview Guidelines
• Flexible Interview Organizer
• Flexible Interview Flowchart