Issues Related to Judging the Alignment of Curriculum Standards and Assessments

Abstract

A process for judging the alignment between curriculum standards and assessments developed by the author is presented. This process produces information on the relationship of standards and assessments on four alignment criteria: Categorical Concurrence, Depth of Knowledge Consistency, Range of Knowledge Correspondence, and Balance of Representation. Five issues are identified—but not resolved—that have arisen from conducting alignment studies. All of these issues relate to making a decision about what alignment is good enough. Pragmatic decisions have been made to specify acceptable levels for each of the alignment criteria. The assumptions are described. The issues discussed arise from a change in the underlying assumptions and from considering variations in the purpose for an assessment. The existence of such issues reinforces that alignment judgments have an element of subjectivity.     

Action research concerning technology for design and associated pedagogy

This article begins by discussing action research as a designerly mode of enquiry. The issues and difficulties associated with such a research strategy are highlighted through a discussion of the characteristics of 'wicked problems' as proposed by Rittel & Webber (1974). The essential outcomes of such research - a textbook for A/AS-level design and technology, and teaching and learning strategies for industrial design and technology undergraduates might not be regarded as conventional research outputs, but the arguments presented show that such a viewpoint would be mistaken. Some characteristics of action research as a beneficial mode of enquiry for academics in higher education are noted.     

Combining ‘subject knowledge’ with ‘how to teach’: an exploratory study of new initial teacher education for teachers of adult literacy,numeracy and English for Speakers of other Languages

This paper is based on a research project that explored a UK Government initiative to improve the quality of teaching adults, numeracy, literacy and English as a second other language. The findings will be of interest to teacher educators generally and also to those involved in teaching adults, language, literacy and numeracy. The paper reports on the main findings of the research and sets the context for the presentation of models and concepts for rethinking how to meet the diverse prior experience and qualifications of those on teacher training programmes, as well as the challenges of relating a deeper understanding of ‘what you teach’ and ‘how you teach it’. Among the many issues raised by this paper, priority is given to the importance of the sequencing and organization of teacher training courses to meet the individual needs of trainees, who in the context of teaching adults in the UK have very different levels of teaching experience, prior subject knowledge and learning needs.     

The national curriculum and levels of achievement

Summary

We believe those whose religious views lead them to be doubtful have a valuable role in teaching RE, not a role for which they should apologise. They should however keep in touch with the dilemmas of life, not deny them, as these provide the data from which religious response springs and which may come for an individual. They are the common ground from which human belief and convictions grow.

Assemblies can be celebrations of what schools have in common and should invite not require any joining in during statements of belief such as the Lord's Prayer.     

Contextualizing the Relationship Between Nature of Scientific Knowledge and Scientific Inquiry

Science & Education - How nature of scientific knowledge (NOSK) or nature of science (NOS) and scientific inquiry (SI) are contextualized, or related to each other, significantly impacts both...     

Cross-Domain Trajectories of Students’ Ability Self-Concepts and Intrinsic Values in Math and Language Arts

Different cross-domain trajectories in the development of students’ ability self-concepts (ASCs) and their intrinsic valuing of math and language arts were examined in a cross-sequential study spanning Grades 1 through 12 (n = 1,069). Growth mixture modeling analyses identified a Moderate Math Decline/Stable High Language Arts class and a Moderate Math Decline/Strong Language Arts Decline class for students’ ASC trajectories. Students’ intrinsic value trajectories included a Strong Math Decline/Language Arts Decline Leveling Off, a Moderate Math Decline/Strong Language Arts Decline, and a Stable Math and Language Arts Trajectories class. These classes differed with regard to student characteristics, including gender, family background, and math and reading aptitudes. They also resulted in different high school math course enrollments, career aspirations, and adult careers.