Math is Figure-Out-Able! Ep 259: Universal Screeners: The Good, Bad, and Ugly - Part 2
Jun 3, 2025
Pam and Kim dive deep into the world of universal screeners in education. They explore their usefulness in diagnosing student needs and discuss the limitations of traditional assessments. The conversation shifts to enhancing teacher assessment skills to better support students and critique the efficiency of routine evaluations. They advocate for more personalized approaches to screening, aiming for deeper understanding over standardization. The hosts also share strategies to effectively use assessment data to boost student learning in mathematics.
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Screeners' Impact on Students
- Pam shared how universal screeners labeled her students with colors like red or yellow, creating visible rankings within her classroom.
- This labeling affected children's perception of themselves and created negative impacts despite not always reflecting true ability.
Limitations of Grouping by Screener Color
- Grouping students by screener category ignores diverse needs within the group.
- A single screener result rarely identifies specific skills needing support for each student.
Empower Teachers for Authentic Assessment
- Better support students by equipping teachers to assess learners authentically and in real time.
- Teachers can identify who needs help based on daily interactions rather than relying on universal screeners.