Elevating Expectations: A New Take on Accountability, Achievement, and Evaluation

Five teacher researchers embarked on a journey to two schools in Hawaii in search of new ways to make assessment more meaningful. Elevating Expectations is the result of that journey, a journey that led them to the creation of a new collaborative partnership between home and school. The assessment model that the authors present brings students full circle in their learning - from setting goals and developing plans of action to documenting their progress, reflecting on that progress, and setting new goals.

This book discusses student-led conferences and the progress folio process, how they help both students and families direct a course of personal development and elevate expectations. From here, students can discuss their strengths and challenges, and determine a course of action, but not in isolation. Throughout their text, the authors demonstrate ways in which students, parents, and teachers can become participants in a learning community that values higher-level thinking skills and creative problem solving.

To expedite the process, the authors offer numerous examples of learning logs, goal-setting sheets, weekly progress reports, separate conference planning guides for students and teachers, parent response and reflection forms, report card alternatives, and student-centered rubrics along with eleven reproducibles. The goal of all the material presented is to achieve the goal of any assessment - to improve student learning by addressing the needs, interests, questions, and dreams of each student.

JOANN WONG-KAM, Anna Sumida, Alice Kimura, Joyce Ahuna-Ka'ai'ai, and Mikilani Maeshiro began their work together at the Kamehameha Elementary School in Honolulu, Hawaii. These teachers share their love for learning with children from kindergarten to grade six. The authors continue to enjoy their work with children, and often provide workshops to other educators interested in making changes in their evaluation system.ALICE KIMURA, JoAnn Wong-Kam, Anna Sumida, Joyce Ahuna-Ka'ai'ai, and Mikilani Maeshiro began their work together at the Kamehameha Elementary School in Honolulu, Hawaii. These teachers share their love for learning with children from kindergarten to grade six. The authors continue to enjoy their work with children, and often provide workshops to other educators interested in making changes in their evaluation system.ANNA SUMIDA, JoAnn Wong-Kam, Alice Kimura, Joyce Ahuna-Ka'ai'ai, and Mikilani Maeshiro began their work together at the Kamehameha Elementary School in Honolulu, Hawaii. These teachers share their love for learning with children from kindergarten to grade six. The authors continue to enjoy their work with children, and often provide workshops to other educators interested in making changes in their evaluation system.JOYCE AHUNA-KA'AI'AI, JoAnn Wong-Kam, Anna Sumida, Alice Kimura, and Mikilani Maeshiro began their work together at the Kamehameha Elementary School in Honolulu, Hawaii. These teachers share their love for learning with children from kindergarten to grade six. The authors continue to enjoy their work with children, and often provide workshops to other educators interested in making changes in their evaluation system.MIKILANI MAESHIRO, JoAnn Wong-Kam, Anna Sumida, Alice Kimura, and Joyce Ahuna-Ka'ai'ai began their work together at the Kamehameha Elementary School in Honolulu, Hawaii. These teachers share their love for learning with children from kindergarten to grade six. The authors continue to enjoy their work with children, and often provide workshops to other educators interested in making changes in their evaluation system.