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How Do You Measure Student Learning?

Kyle Hamstra

Throughout my administrative internship, I had the honor of experiencing interviews from both sides of the table. In general, an interview can be dynamic, featuring deep insight into the applicant’s thought patterns, belief systems, and presentation skills. There’s potential to communicate so much more beyond the basic Q&A routine.

From answering questions in mock interviews to asking questions of beginning teachers, myself, I realized certain trends. One question that surfaced often was worded along the lines like this:

In reality, the question might have been paraphrased as:

How Do You Measure Student Learning?

The answer is equally complex as it is very simple.

As a former classroom teacher, I might recognize logistics like:

As an administrative intern, I might also see through the lens like:

As a parent, I’m automatically analyzing:

I’ve barely scratched the surface on what might be the best ways to measure student learning. In an interview, you might need to have a carefully scripted, memorized answer for the interviewers to check their boxes or rate your answer on a predetermined scale.

Or, you could speak from the heart.

Because all of the formalities, data, Pinterest-ing models and infographics, evaluation programs, walk-thru tools, research, expert advice, titles, degrees, and adult opinions in the world don’t compare to one simple measure: THE KIDS.

It’s not about you. It’s not about me.

How Do You Measure Student Learning?

ASK THE STUDENTS. 

Center them.

Care about them.

Amplify their voices.

Ask for their feedback.

Gauge their well-being, ownership, and perspective:

What questions might you add to evidence and measure student-centered learning?

When striving to craft, facilitate, and inspire the best lesson ever, we must remember to keep students at the center. The learning spaces, experiences, and opportunities belong to them.

 

 

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