Tallahassee, Fla. – Providing strategies for raising the level of academic demand on students was the focus of two training sessions presented by the Center for Advancement of Learning and Assessment (CALA).
The purpose of the sessions was to demonstrate how to effectively integrate assessment with classroom instruction and learning, with the intention of tapping into more complex modes of thinking such as problem solving. Dr. Albert Oosterhof, professor emeritus at Florida State University, led the sessions. He provided an overview of the <a href="http://www.cala.fsu.edu/files/ccm.pdf">Capabilities-Complexity Model</a> and showed participants how to use the model to develop learning activities and assessments. The sessions included open discussions and hands-on application of the model to mathematics and reading/language arts.
“Our goal in putting together information for students is to help them learn and think at a variety of levels,” according to keynote speaker Dr. Cornelia Orr, executive director of the National Assessment Governing Board. Orr stressed the importance of guiding students to go beyond traditional ways of thinking.
Professionals from diverse educational backgrounds attended the sessions, including Florida Department of Education employees and statewide curriculum specialists. 2009-10-14T17:09:40Z Sessions Focus on Cognitive Capabilities and Assessment 5

2009-10-14

2009-11-05T15:30:15Z

Tallahassee, Fla. – Test overviews and Web links are among the information available to teacher candidates on the recently launched <a href="https://app1.fldoe.org/ftce/Portal/Default.aspx">Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Learning Portal</a>. The portal was developed by the Center for Advancement of Learning and Assessment (CALA) for the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE).
The portal serves as a single source of comprehensive information for individuals seeking teacher certification, giving them the tools they need to prepare for tests in their content area. Constructed according to Web standards, the portal is accessible to diverse audiences and will be used as a model for accessible Web development for future FLDOE projects.
As a resource for the FTCE, the portal offers information on exam overviews and test information guides. The competencies and skills specify what beginning teachers should know and be able to do and are available for download. The portal presents descriptions of content-area Web sites and print resources. It also provides the basics on registration, testing requirements for certification, Educator Preparation Institutes, alternative certification programs, and college and university programs.
“We wanted to engage users and present critical information in an easy, navigable manner,” said Carol Sanfilippo, associate director of CALA. “To do this, we integrated diverse and comprehensive material in a logical way for the intended audience. We’re very pleased with the result.” 2009-05-11T15:48:18Z Learning Portal Provides Resources for Teacher Candidates 1

2009-04-09

2009-05-11T15:48:18Z

Tallahassee, Fla. – No significant difference exists between the scores of handwritten and computer-written student essays, according to a study produced by the Center for Advancement of Learning and Assessment (CALA).
The research, which was funded by the Florida Department of Education, examined the effects of writing mode—computer versus paper and pencil—on the quality of postsecondary students’ essays. It also explored whether variations exist in the holistic raters’ scoring of the essays that may be attributed to the different production modes.
Graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in Florida’s teacher training programs responded to essay prompts from the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) using both the computer and paper and pencil. Students’ preplanning activities also were captured in both modes. Approximately half of the essays in each mode were transcribed, and both the original and transcribed essays were scored holistically by trained raters. Holistic rater training included a literature review on rater bias and its impact on scoring.
Findings showed no significant difference in scores between the modes, nor was rater bias present. Students tended to do more extensive preplanning for the paper-and-pencil essays than for the computer-based essays. Even when students did their testing on computer, given a choice, they often preferred planning on paper. There was little correlation, however, between preplanning and the computer-based essay scores.
“With advances in technology, we are seeing a greater opportunity for cost-saving measures, as well as speed in score reporting,” said Dr. Faranak Rohani, the director of CALA. “This study provides empirical support for using the computer-based writing assessment for the essay portion of the FTCE. Certain issues, however, should be considered, such as the quality of rater training and the preference for preplanning on paper.” 2009-05-11T15:48:18Z Study Completed on Effects of Writing Modes on Essay Quality 2

2008-10-27

2009-05-11T15:48:18Z

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Center for Advancement of Learning and Assessment (CALA), based at Florida State University’s research and development complex, presented its newly developed capabilities-complexity model at the National Conference on Student Assessment in Orlando, Fla., in June 2008.
Sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers, the conference is the largest national assembly of assessment professionals. The CALA session—“Including Types of Capabilities when Balancing a Large-Scale Assessment”—described the Capabilities-Complexity Model developed by CALA for the Florida Department of Education. The model contributes to the production of rigorous, defensible assessments.
Dr. Albert Oosterhof, CALA/FSU professor, and Dr. Cornelia Orr, Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Accountability, Research, and Measurement for the Florida Department of Education, served as lead presenter and moderator at the conference. Dr. Norman Webb of the Wisconsin Center for Education Research served as session discussant. Webb’s nationally recognized Depth of Knowledge model is used for the National Assessment of Educational Progress and numerous other national assessments, including FCAT.
According to Dr. Oosterhof, “The Capabilities-Complexity Model simplifies the difficult task of monitoring the cognitive complexity of assessments. More importantly, it can provide a vehicle for establishing areas in which classroom and large-scale assessments can actually supplement each other.”
“Traditionally, our teachers have been the forgotten force in assessment,” said Dr. Faranak Rohani, the director of CALA. “What we heard most frequently from teachers who were being trained in our model was that it helped them understand why their students had difficulty with certain types of assessment and what needs to be done instructionally to help improve student growth and achievement.” 2009-05-11T15:48:18Z CALA Presents at Prestigious Assessment Conference 3

2008-07-23

2009-05-11T15:48:18Z

Tallahassee, Fla. – The Center for Advancement of Learning and Assessment (CALA) launched on July 1, 2008. Formerly a part of the Center for Information, Training, and Evaluation Services, CALA is based at Florida State University’s research and development complex.
As a pioneer in the design of multimedia instructional materials and customized assessments, CALA assists policy makers and educators by providing them analyses and practical solutions.
“We take a holistic approach to instruction, learning and assessment,” said Dr. Faranak Rohani, the director of CALA. “Our goal is to help our clients consider the entire cycle of learning without sacrificing any one element. To that end, we collaborate with them to set goals and develop research-based training and assessment tools.”
CALA’s roots reach back to 1972, when it began as the Career Education Curriculum Laboratory, created to assist the Division of Vocational Education with establishing career education in Florida. Throughout the years, the center has provided products and services for assessment, evaluation, training and multimedia development to government, nonprofit and private-sector agencies. 2009-05-11T15:48:18Z CALA: A New Name and Mission 4

2008-07-01

2009-05-11T15:48:18Z