Formative Assessment for Literacy, Grades K-6
Building Reading and Academic Language Skills Across the Curriculum
- Alison L. Bailey - University of California, Los Angeles, USA
- Margaret Heritage - WestEd, California, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
Foreword by Deborah Stipek
"This book presents an easy-to-understand approach to a complex skill by employing accessible concepts and a research-based conception of classroom assessment. For today's and tomorrow's elementary teachers, this book is mandatory reading!"
—W. James Popham, Emeritus Professor
University of California, Los Angeles
Use formative assessment to build language and literacy skills across the curriculum!
Grounded in research and practice, this book shows both new and experienced elementary teachers how to use formative assessment as an integral part of effective language and literacy instruction for all students, including English language learners.
This reader-friendly resource discusses the stages of literacy skill development and offers strategies for developing students understanding of academic language—the vocabulary used in classroom instruction and found in textbooks and tests. Alison L. Bailey and Margaret Heritage explain how formative assessment differs from other assessment models and demonstrate how their unique approach fits within broader frameworks for assessment and instruction. This guide provides instructors of both English language learners and native English speakers with the necessary tools to:
- Implement different kind of formative literacy assessments such as observations, planned-for interactions, and analyses of student responses
- Interpret the evidence gathered from formative assessments
- Develop a comprehensive system for assessing students
- Collaborate with colleagues, instructional leaders, and principals to build a culture that supports the use of formative literacy assessment
Featuring authentic examples from classroom teachers and guidance for planning professional development in literacy assessment, this book gives educators the tools to implement this proven approach to literacy success!
"The book is based on the best research on reading and language development and gives readers an opportunity to see nationally renowned experts’ advice in their own words. But rather than a dreary summary of research findings, this book brings the knowledge to life by providing detailed descriptions and illustrations of the practical implications for classroom teaching. Just as teachers slowly and surely lead their children to becoming proficient readers, this book provides scaffolding and a suggested system of schoolwide support for teachers to develop their skills as reading teachers."
"This book presents an easy-to-understand approach to a complex skill by employing accessible concepts and a research-based conception of classroom assessment. For today’s and tomorrow’s elementary teachers, this book is mandatory reading!"
"Bailey and Heritage draw on a wealth of relevant research and their own work in classrooms to offer practice-oriented guidelines for ongoing assessment of children’s developing academic language literacy. They present clear definitions of concepts and constructs and clearly illustrate how formative assessment can be integrated into everyday instruction. The extended dialogues show how teachers can engage children in examining and talking about their own language development."
“In this important, readable, and practical book, Bailey and Heritage take us beyond what the research says to a clear set of principles for formative assessment in the language arts classroom. Everyone interested in improving reading and writing in our schools should read this book.”
Sample Materials & Chapters
Chatper 1: Formative Assessment: Strories of Language and Literacy Learning