Last year I taught 14 students who had IEPs, were divided between two inclusion classes, and I had 4 of those 14 complete VGLA portfolios (alternative assessment to the SOL test). This in and of itself was an obstacle, and I stayed after school pretty much everyday with the students when the due dates were drawing close. This year, I teach 1 inclusion class with 11 students with IEPS and will be completing 10 VGLA portfolios. I feel prepared this year as I know what I'm doing from the start, which I did not last year, but I still feel that the work that goes into these portfolios on behalf of the students and the teachers is underestimated. We have been told that it should be no problem and can be completed in class if we are following the curriculum frameworks...haha. I tried to take this approach with my thinking until I gave my first written assignment the other day in a response to a story that I just knew would be perfect for the VGLA portfolios. That is until I remembered that it would take some students 10 minutes to complete, some students would require the other teacher and myself to walk them through every question, some will have redo the assignment, and some students would not complete the assignment at all. I have nothing against the VGLA portfolio, as I think it is a true picture of what a student is capable of, rather than a test they take one day out of the year. We have some students who are completing three VGLA portfolios (math, english, civics) and many of these students are receiving support outside of the classroom. I believe, however, that every student who is completing an assessment of this kind of volume should be getting extra support through resource time, as it can be stressful and overwhelming. It is for me anyway, and I'm not even the one doing all of the work!
Thoughts?
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3 comments:
What is VGLA?
Misha
VGLA is an alternative form of testing to the standardized multiple choice test. The students must demonstrate their knowledge of the content through their written work, and in turn the teacher compiles it all in a binder to be assessed in place of the multiple choice test. Almost every SOL must be demonstrated for the student to pass.
Stephanie
Gae Noble
Stephanie,
It looks like I may be doing as many as 20 VGLA portfolios this year. Like you, I feel more confident about the process than I did last year, but it's overwhelming to think about all that we will be required to do.
Now, at our school are being asked to use technology in 50% of our assessments. How do we fit that into VGLA assessments? Does it mean I'll have to come up with new VGLA assessments or will I have to make up separate assessments for students taking the traditional SOL? Any ideas?
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