Primary Advisor/Dissertation Chair
Secondary Advisor/Reader One
The guiding research question of this capstone project was, how can formative assessments be utilized within a balanced literacy framework in order to respond to the reading needs of 5th grade students? The key motivation for formulating this research study was the constant struggle to find a framework for teaching reading that could address the diverse learning needs of students. The author defines formative assessments, in terms of a process, and then explores the balanced literacy framework. The study continued by exploring how the formative assessment process can be utilized within a balanced literacy framework, as it relates to the purposes of this study. From there, the action research study articulated how formative assessments could be utilized in three key phases including: 1) identifying student needs, 2) responding to student needs, specifically within a balanced literacy framework, and 3) monitoring progress. The author concluded that formative assessments are not a static tool used once a year. Rather, it is a process that can be leveraged throughout the learning process to address, respond to, and meet individual student needs. This research was originally gathered to impact the individual practice of classroom teachers. However, the action research study revealed that the formative assessment process can be utilized both within the classroom and at the building level, in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and the Response to Intervention (RTI) process.
Assessment, Literacy, Teachers/ Teaching, Formative Assessments
Steinmeyer, Amber Ann, "How Formative Assessments can be Utilized to Respond to Student Needs Within a Balanced Literacy Framework" (2016). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations. 4103.