TRAILBLAZER

The term ‘standards’ in literature refers to the content standards in the curriculum. The goal of SBA is to ensure that each student is meeting the content standards.

Unpack the content standards by making sure that each lesson or unit develops the learning competencies under each domain. There are 10 domains for Grades  K to 6 while there are eight domains for Grades 7-10. Examples are listening comprehension, oral language, vocabulary development, literature.

There should be an alignment between the learning competencies and the assessment task. For example, the assessment task for Grade 8 fourth quarter writing is a journalistic text because the learning competency targeted is that skill.

The assessment task should be authentic. The GRASPS model of UbD is useful: goal, role, audience, situation,  product performance and purpose, standards and criteria for success.

In order to prepare the students to write a journalistic text, for example, the teacher can follow the genre-based approach to writing. It starts with modelling. In this stage,  the students analyse sample journalistic texts to find out the social context as well as the organizational structures and language demands. This step helps the students to see  the big picture as well as the features of this genre to prepare for the next step. The second step is joint construction. In this stage, the whole class can approximate the target genre by writing together. Later, students can write in groups or in pairs. Formative assessment through feedback is critical. The last stage is independent construction. In this stage, the student will be, more or less ready, to write independently because of their experience in the first two stages of the process.

The Classroom Assessment Reform or CAR model of DepEd is an integral part of the curriculum implementation. It allows teachers to track and measure learner's progress and to adjust instructions accordingly. Classroom Assessment informs the learners as well as their parents and guardians of their progress.

Traditional testing is best for the assessment of knowledge. For example, identification, gap fill, and multiple choice tests can be used.

Assessment of process/skills, understanding, and performance should be authentic and should approximate the real world demands.

SBA also affects the grading system. Instead of recording quizzes, assignments, and tasks, teachers need to record how students are performing in each domain. The CAR model is suggested.

The main goal of SBA is for teachers, students, and parents to know if each learner is achieving the content standards and to ensure learning progress. The K to 12 English Curriculum generally aims to develop English language competency and multi-literacies. The alignment of SBA with the curriculum is the key to help Filipinos become effective communicators in the 21st century.