Ballard & Tighe - Help Desk

Carousel Assessment Overview

(see Carousel Teacher's Guide page 32-33 for details)

End-of-Chapter Testing

Option 1: Use the formal end-of-chapter tests in the Carousel Testers (grades 2-5) or the Carousel Testers (grades K-1). The Carousel Tester Examiner's Manuals provide information about test administration, scoring rules, answer keys, implications for instruction, and other helpful information. Learn more.
Option 2: Use the informal end-of-chapter listening and speaking interview (outlined in the Teacher's Guide) and the reading and writing test in the Resource Book. Learn more.

Reading and Writing Chapter Pre-Tests and Post-Tests

Students are given a reading and writing pretest at the beginning of each chapter in Units 2-8 to measure their knowledge of the target vocabulary and concepts before instruction begins. The chapter pre-test enables teachers to pinpoint students' strengths and weaknesses and adjust their instructional plan accordingly. The pre-tests also give teachers baseline information so that they can measure the progress students make before and after the chapter instruction. At the end of each chapter, students take the reading and writing chapter post-test. The chapter pretest/post-test is located in the Resource Book.

Chapter Overviews & Evaluation Checklists

Found at the beginning of every chapter
Outlines the learning objectives for each lesson in the chapter: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing
Use these objectives to track each student's progress and to measure how well students are meeting the objectives
Available as reproducible blackline masters in the Resource Book
View sample

"Observing Student Progress" Sections

Learning objectives for each lesson listed at the end of the lesson to remind teachers to stop and evaluate students' progress
Ask yourself, "Do students meet these key objectives?"
If students did not grasp a concept presented, review and reinforce
View sample

Portfolio Evaluation

Students create and compile a portfolio of work they complete for each chapter
Shows what students are doing well and areas that need attention
Serve as a body of evidence to demonstrate that content standards have been met
At the end of a chapter, students choose three pieces that demonstrate their best work
Evaluate students' portfolio using Assessment Form 2 found in the Resource Book
Portfolios are rated: Superior, Average, Below Average, and Fails to Meet Objectives
View Sample

Unit Evaluation

At the end of each unit, evaluate each student's overall performance for that unit
Assess the following criteria:

Mastery of chapter objectives
Ability to work with others
Ability to work independently
Completion of assignments neatly, accurately, and on time
Listening & speaking performance evaluations
Reading & writing chapter tests
Portfolio evaluations

Use Assessment Form 3 found in the Resource Book
If student scores "superior" or "satisfactory" in all categories, move to the next unit. However, if the student scores "not satisfactory" in any category, provide additional instruction and practice to prepare him or her for the next unit.
View Sample

Assessment Purpose	Test Type
Placement	1. Use a formal language proficiency test (e.g., state ELP test, IPT Oral Test) OR 2. Use a Carousel Tester placement test OR 3. Use a Carousel listening and speaking performance-based evaluation in conjunction with a chapter pre-test (see Carousel Teacher's Guide page 28 for details)
Monitoring Progress	"Observing Student Progress" Sections Learning objectives for each lesson listed at the end of the lesson to remind teachers to stop and evaluate students' progress Ask yourself, "Do students meet these key objectives?" If students did not grasp a concept presented, review and reinforce
Formative Assessment	Chapter Overviews & Evaluation Checklists Found at the beginning of every chapter Outlines the learning objectives for each lesson in the chapter: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing Use these objectives to track each student's progress and to measure how well students are meeting the objectives Available as reproducible blackline masters in the Resource Book Portfolio Evaluation Students create and compile a portfolio of work they complete for each chapter Shows what students are doing well and areas that need attention Serve as a body of evidence to demonstrate that content standards have been met At the end of a chapter, students choose three pieces that demonstrate their best work Evaluate students' portfolio using Assessment Form 2 found in the Resource Book Portfolios are rated: Superior, Average, Below Average, and Fails to Meet Objectives Unit Evaluation At the end of each unit, evaluate each student's overall performance for that unit Assess the following criteria: Mastery of chapter objectives Ability to work with others Ability to work independently Completion of assignments neatly, accurately, and on time Listening & speaking performance evaluations Reading & writing chapter tests Portfolio evaluations Use Assessment Form 3 found in the Resource Book If student scores "superior" or "satisfactory" in all categories, move to the next unit. However, if the student scores "not satisfactory" in any category, provide additional instruction and practice to prepare him or her for the next unit Language Progress Card Monitor and track student progress
Summative Assessment	End-of-Chapter Testing Option 1: Use the formal end-of-chapter tests in the Carousel Testers (grades 2-5) or the Carousel Testers (grades K-1). The Carousel Tester Examiner's Manuals provide information about test administration, scoring rules, answer keys, implications for instruction, and other helpful information. OR Option 2: Use the informal end-of-chapter listening and speaking interview (outlined in the Teacher's Guide) and the reading and writing test in the Resource Book.