A brief primer, September 2000 -
Overview
In 1991 the Oregon Legislature adopted a standards-based design for the state's
schools of the future. Reflecting a standards-based system for education, Teacher
Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) established competencies for teacher
certification used in initial and continuing (advanced) teaching licensure
in Oregon. As part of the documentation in their attainment of required competencies
and effectiveness in fostering student learning, pre-service teachers are required
to submit two samples of their work from their student teaching experience.
The evaluation of these work samples is one element used in recommending pre-service
teachers for initial licensure. TSPC and Western Oregon University require the
completion of two teacher work samples, with the final work sample built around
a three- to five-week unit of instruction.
In addition to a licensure requirement, work samples at WOU are built around
their use as teaching and research tools. Teacher Work Sample Methodology can
be considered both an instructional and an evaluation tool. It is a model of
effective teaching that is grounded in a concept of teaching and learning that
is student centered, outcome based, and context dependent. In essence, the
completed work sample is an extended performance task that allows the assessment
of the development of the effective teaching professional.
Each work sample includes a unit of instruction, evidence about pupil learning
within the unit, and use of pupil data for future instructional and reporting
plans. A work sample displays, among other things, objectives, instructional
and assessment procedures, pupil performance data, and interpretation of the
success of a unit of instruction. Work sample methodology is designed to align
assessment with instructional objectives, with the goal of providing information
relevant to instruction and achievement. Central to the methodology is the
view of teachers as reflective practitioners. We believe this is essential
to a teacher's growth as a professional. WOU teacher education graduates are
responsible for interpreting and reflecting on their accomplishments in fostering
student learning and for describing how this information will inform future
practice.
More details
on teacher work sample methodology
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