How to Have an Effective Eureka Math Assessment Routine

Am I Getting Everything In?

When summer begins to wind down, we all have the major goals set high.  I immediately delve deep into the Eureka math resources to organize a successful program for my students for the upcoming school year.   

​However, it can feel overwhelming for sure!  We as teachers want to strive for it ALL. 

It is important to be organized and set up yourself for success from the start, however, knowing what to spend the most of your energy on can be all consuming.

How do you know if you are adequately planning and pacing yourself? Will you end up not finishing all of the content by the end of the school year? Will you cover the state test required concepts in time?  All of these racing thoughts are very typical and often discussed continuously among colleagues.

Start at the End
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Knowing where you need to go, is often the best way of knowing where to begin.  Start with the assessments and work backwards.  Having the end point in place is how you can determine the proper objectives and set obtainable goals.  It will also provide you with a sense of closure and continuity as you plan.
 
Eureka math provides various ways of assessing your students.  One daily assessment is called the Exit Ticket as I have described in detail previously in the article, How to Set the Stage for Eureka Math - Understanding the Lesson Structure
 
The Exit Ticket provides teachers and students with daily, quick feedback of where the students are with learning the objectives.  It does also drive further planning and instruction based on student needs.  Assessing students daily is the key to knowing how the teaching and learning is going.  Intervention is great as an ongoing component rather than waiting until the end of the unit to know a student is struggling.
 
Each Module of Eureka Math also has as an end assessment.  This is typically culminating of the entire unit and could assess more than one type of concept.
 
When planning ahead, it is also important to keep in mind your state and local assessment scheduling to keep your pacing working with you for those goals as well.
 
How to Set Up Your Assessment Routine
 
Remember in all aspects of continuity with Eureka Math and working with students is consistency.  The students will be more successful when they are accustomed to a predictable routine with their assessments.

In order to be sure students are aware of the expectations, be clear and provide the information ahead of time.  This is where your organized planning comes into play.  You have to be aware of what is coming up ahead in order to prepare your students and their families.
 
Key Tips on Setting up This Routine

• Provide information in advance before End of Module Assessments take place
• Be consistent with using the lesson Exit Tickets, so the students expect them and know what to do
• Model your expectations for each assessment for the students
• Research your testing dates well in advance to be sure you are planning productively
• Provide consistent and constructive feedback to students after assessments
• Provide interventions immediately when students show signs of struggling with a particular concept

 
When you are familiar with your expected outcomes, you will be able to plan efficiently.  Have the confidence that the students can meet these goals set and they will! You are the grounding force for your students’ success.  If you are shaking in what they need to know, it will filter down and create more anxiety and confusion among students.
 
Getting it all in can feel like an impossible undertaking.  You honestly may not each and every unit with every class.  The key is to define ahead what is needed for your students to master.  Plan for that first.  Then the students will be ready to flourish in any additional extensions that come their way.