Assessment
Who enjoys taking tests or quizzes? Is homework truly an effective form of evaluation? Do grades hold significant value? What are the fundamental reasons behind our assessments? My philosophy on assessment is that it is a tool to support student learning and help the student grow. I believe that assessments are used for driving instruction in order to improve student learning. As an Adult Transition Teacher, I work with 18 - 26 year-old individuals with disabilities who have not earned a high school diploma. Assessment in my context is unique and tailored to real-life learning experiences, without the traditional grading system. My focus is on enhancing practical skills through assessments in areas such as Independent Living Skills, Functional Academics, Social Skills, Behavioral Skills, Community-Based Instruction (CBI), Work-Based Learning (WBL), and money management and budgeting. For my learners, standardized tests, quizzes, and homework are ineffective. As Shepard (2000) aptly s