How do I track student data and growth with SOMOS?

Tracking student growth is an important part of a teacher's job, and using timed or fluency writing is one powerful way to do so. In addition to using the writing assessments included with SOMOS, we also recommend using timed or fluency free writes and tracking fluency (word count) and/or using a holistic grading rubric (see resources below) to assess and grade.  In addition, take a look at this article about Teacher Goals and SLOs (Student Learning Objectives) if you are looking for ideas for your professional goal setting. 

RESOURCES

• Free Write form with rubrics ($)
• Universal Screener ($)- rubrics + paper for timed writings
• Performance Targets- holistic rubrics based on ACTFL Performance Descriptors
• Timed / Fluency Free writes
• "I can" Writing by Martina Bex (Comprehensible Classroom)
• Grading writing Elicia Cárdenas (Deskless Classroom) -includes explanation of how to do timed freewrites and how to grade them
• Fluency Writing by Judith Dubois (A Witch in Agen)
• How to assess writing effectively by Scott Benedict (Immediate Immersion)
• World Language SLO with Timed Writing by Spanish Plans (SpanishPlans.org)
• Video: Assessment Hacks and Hope, Martina Bex & Elicia Cárdenas
• Video: Virtual Assessment in Language classes: What works, Martina Bex & Elicia Cárdenas
•  2018-019 Timed Write Stats, by Lance Piantaginni (Magister P)

IDEAS FROM OTHER TEACHERS

 I used the very first writing sample from the curriculum to provide the base line & stated that I wanted each student (in one section) to improve by one level (mainly from novice low to mid or novice mid to high). Then mid-year I used another similar sample & compared & again at the end of the year. Almost every student met the objective.