This opening post is a good time to introduce a model for looking at the relationship between assessment and interventions that will hopefully serve as a good basis for upcoming discussion. The model is shown in the diagram below:
Put quite simply, the results of assessments are used as a basis to make plans for instructional activities. These activities are then implemented and the results are evaluated using instruments similar to what was initially employed to evaluate student mastery. The assessment results are then used again for planning and the cycle continues.
The view that we will be dicussing is that such a dynamic approach to intervention is critical to the ultimate success of the efforts to increase student achievement. We will be including posts in this blog relating to many issues within this model such as building reliable and valid assessments and evaluation of the data that they produce. We will also be inviting districts who have implemented intervention programs to comment on what they did, their sucesses, and their challenges. We welcome participation from all. Please leave us your thoughts in the comment section below.