NCFALCON

 **Welcome to NC FALCON **  **North Carolina’s Formative Assessment Learning Community’s Online Network ** **NCFALCON may be accessed at the following web address: ﻿ ** **[|http://center.ncsu.edu/falcon/] **  This network has been developed in an effort to provide North Carolina teachers with a basic understanding of formative assessment and illustrate the role it should play in a comprehensive, balanced assessment system. A comprehensive, balanced assessment system includes formative assessment, interim/benchmark assessments, and statewide assessments that are aligned to state standards. Each component is important and should be valued for what it contributes. The online professional development modules located in NC FALCON are intended to serve as a
 * There is also a link on our school’s website. **
 * Purpose of NC FALCON **

primer for teachers to learn more about the impact formative assessment can have on their instruction and help their students achieve targeted learning goals. Whether a beginning or  seasoned teacher, the NC FALCON formative assessment modules provide a solid framework on   which to build effective formative assessment practices in the classroom. Implementing these strategies provides feedback to adjust ongoing teaching and learning that will improve students’ <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">achievement of intended instructional outcomes. **<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt;">CEU Credit ** <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">At the completion of each module, participants will be able to print a certificate of completion <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">which includes a recommendation for renewal credit or continuing education units (CEUs). <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Final awarding of CEUs must be approved by the local education agency (LEA). The LEA <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">determines the content area and the number of CEUs granted. Participants may be required to  <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">submit their completed assignments for the modules and a copy of the NCDPI issued certificates <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">of completion. //<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Approximately one hour of computer time is needed for each module. This does not include the //

//<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">time necessary for completing the digital journals and activities, practicing formative assessment // //<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">strategies, and observing colleagues or team members. The total estimated time for completing // //<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">each module (on and off the computer) is listed in the NC FALCON Modules section. //  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 14pt;"> **NC FALCON Modules** <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">There are currently five formative assessment modules in the online professional development

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">series. When new modules are added, districts will be notified. The current modules and the <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">activities contained within each module have been created so that the allotted computer time is  <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">less than eight hours, while outside activities and practice should require additional time. The <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">modules also have independent self-paced capabilities; therefore, individual participants have the <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">option to control the pace and location of their learning. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">In addition to quality video, there are reflections, activities, and //Digital Journals// in each module. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">The following is a list and description of the modules:  <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Importance of Formative Assessment <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">This module provides an introduction to formative assessment and its role in North Carolina’s 21 <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 8pt;">st <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Century Balanced Assessment System. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">At the end of this module, participants will be able to: o <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Communicate the importance of formative assessment, o <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Distinguish between formative, benchmark, and summative assessment, and o <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Share with others how formative assessment fits into a balanced assessment <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">system. **//<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">(1 hr. estimated seat time and 1 hr. total time) //**  <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Learning Targets and Criteria for Success <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">This module focuses on how teachers can write clear learning targets and define criteria for <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">success in order to help students answer the question, “Where am I going?” <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">At the end of this module, participants will be able to: o <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Recognize clear and unclear learning targets, and o <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Develop clear learning targets and their associated criteria for success to use in a  <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">lesson or series of lessons. **//<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">(1 hr. estimated seat time and 4 hrs. total time) //**  <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Collecting and Documenting Evidence <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">This module explores how teachers can collect and document evidence of learning to help <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">students answer the question “Where am I now?” <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">At the end of this module, participants will be able to: o <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Identify at least three ways to collect and document evidence of student learning, o <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Choose strategies for collecting and documenting evidence of student learning <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">that provide accurate information about where students are in their learning, and o <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Align the strategies with the targets and criteria for success. **//<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">(1 hr. estimated seat time and 2 hrs. total time) //**  <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Analyzing Evidence and Descriptive Feedback <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">This module provides teachers with an understanding of how to analyze evidence of learning and <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">how to use descriptive feedback to reflect student strengths and weaknesses with respect to  <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">specific learning goals and success criteria. <span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">At the end of this module, participants will be able to: o <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Effectively examine student work, o <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Understand the differences between evaluative and descriptive feedback, and o <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Enhance student learning through descriptive feedback. **//<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">(1 hr. estimated seat time and 4 hrs. total time) //**  <span style="color: blue; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Administrator’s Role in Formative Assessment <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">This module looks at the role of the administrator in formative assessment. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">At the end of this module, participants will be able to: o <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Describe formative assessment and how an administrator can use it in his or her <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">school, o <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Discuss elements of formative assessment, and o <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Determine the extent to which a school implements formative assessment. **//<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">(1 hr. estimated seat time and 4 hrs. total time) //**