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Kathleen - Jen, we were scheduled to learn a bit about the Work Sampling System of assessment from a teacher who is using it. However, she is unable to come tonight. I have some info I've gathered that I will share, then we can have open forum. (I've written to Dr. Samuel Meisels inviting him to come and discuss Work Sampling with us...if he accepts, you will see annoucements on the site and in the mailrings.
Kathleen - Jen/Montreal has been using WSS for two years and has offered to share information with us! Thank you, Jen!
Jen/Montreal - No problem Kathleen...I've been to about five workshops on WSS I think I can help out as much as I can
Kathleen - The Work Sampling System is an ongoing classroom performance assessment system that is used in preschool through fifth grade. Its purpose is to document children's skills, knowledge, behavior, and accomplishments across a wide variety of curriculum areas on multiple occasions in order to enhance teaching and learning.
Kathleen - The Work Sampling System, an authentic performance assessment, is based on teachers' observations of children at work in the classroom learning, solving problems, interacting, and creating products. Designed for students in preschool through 5th grade, the Work Sampling System includes three interrelated elements:
Jen/Montreal - Well this is my second year using WSS and it's an approach through observing children using anecdotes checklist and summary reports
Kathleen - 1.Developmental guidelines and checklists 2.Portfolios 3.Summary reports ---Jen, would you tell us how WSS differs from Portfolio Assessment?
Jen/Montreal - WSS includes portfolio assesments too...it's and accumulation of materials and media throughout the school year
Kathleen - Authentic performance assessment, such as Work Sampling, documents actual classroom experiences, embedding evaluation in the context of learning (Herman et al. 1992, Wolf and Rearden 1996).
Jen/Montreal - You have four collection periods throughout the year..you choose and area of development that you focus on for the year
Kathleen - Jen, an area for each student, or an area for the group?
Randy/TN - I like using the portfolio method in my special ed classes. This sounds like a method that might help me do a better job using Portfolio.
Kathleen - 2.Portfolios Work Sampling portfolios include two types of work: core items and individualized items
Jen/Montreal - For the group..this year I decide to focus on the arts.. the children in my care are 2yrs old
Kathleen - Core items exemplify how a child functions throughout the year in five domains language and literacy, mathematical thinking, scientific thinking, social studies, and the arts
Kathleen - Individualized items reflect a child's goals, interests, and abilities in various curricular areas.For example, an illustrated science journal entry might show how the child wrote, painted, tallied, and summarized an investigation.
Jen/Montreal - Core item ... means has to do to with the area of learning ... individual is an item you feel needs to be recognized
Kathleen - Jen, so you use WSS with 2 year olds for the purpose of designing appropropriate experiences rather than as a reporting system for parents, adminis?
Randy/TN - Could this be used to document behavior problems? I teach a class of 8 students with sever behavior problems. It is important for me to document all their inappropriate behavior.
Mary - See if I'm understanding this correctly, Work Sampling is a portfolio plus checklists and observational notes?
Kathleen - 3.Summary Reports replace conventional report cards as a way to inform parents and record student progress for teachers and administrators. These reports transform information from teacher observations, checklists, and portfolios into evaluations of student performance across all curricular areas.
Kathleen - WSS = 1.Developmental guidelines and checklists 2.Portfolios 3.Summary reports
Jen/Montreal - My daycare implements WSS cause we felt we needed to know the kids better..thus implementing the appropriate env
Kathleen - Jen, go ahead and field the questions from Randy and Mary if you can
Jen/Montreal - Mary...yes It's alot of work..it takes an educator about five years to master WSS!
Jen/Montreal - Yes Randy...you write what you see..this is like your back up for assesing
Kathleen - The information I have shared to this point is from this site: http://www.ascd.org/pubs/el/dec96/meisels.html
Randy/TN - What do I need to start using it and how do I start?
Kathleen - Jen, how did you receive your training
Jen/Montreal - using an objected approach..at all times..when I first started observ. I use to write..*Tom entered room without any tears* Now I write,,Tom came in today crying.
Jen/Montreal - My daycare use all the Professinal dev. budget and we had a spokesperson from WSS come and train us..she still comes by three times a year
Randy/TN - Thanks Jen! Expand on it!
Kathleen - Jen, please explain the difference in those 2 anecdotal notes you offer as an example
Jen/Montreal - Randy..not sure how you start.. I'm sure Kathleen can help you out there
Kathleen - I'm sorry, I am not close to being qualified to answer your question about how to start, Randy..
Randy/TN - I understand!
Jen/Montreal - always include the child first name///time...location... Using an objective approach always IE Jen meets alex at the door mom opens door...Jen says hi alex..alex walks in class smiling
Mary - For a child who is happy and well adjusted every day, do you write the same thing over and over, or do you just record cases when things aren't as ususal?
Kathleen - Jen, does the WSS come with developmental checklists, or are you expected to draw up your own?
Randy/TN - How do you use the check list?
Jen/Montreal - WSS has checklist from the ages of three and up...this is where my struggles come in..I work with two's and I thought I could find someone here to help me out! *laughing* These checklists are made from the norms of that age group
Jen/Montreal - Yes WSS supplies you with a checklist...and a summary report..in three carbon copies...one for you...one for the child..and one for there files...at the end of the year...this file moves up with the child
Kathleen - Jen, couldn't you just locate a developmental checklist from a respected source, or is a WSS dev. checklist different in some way from those published for other uses?
Kathleen - Jen, is there one summary report per year?
Jen/Montreal - Kathleen...I'm sure you can use another checklist..not sure about that one
Jen/Montreal - Kathleen..no it's three times a year..once in the fall...then winter the year end
Randy/TN - Each student in my class is given a personal behavior goal to achieve. Could I develope a check list of behaviors I expect to see concerning that goal?
Kathleen - Jen, WSS sounds a bit overwhelming in terms of record keeping. yes, no?
Mary - This sounds like a bit much to handle if you are in a situation where you teach 2 groups of Kinder kids a day with 50 or more students to keep track of
Jen/Montreal - Randy...I'm currently not using a checklist because there isn't one for my age group...but it's a form type document and I think you check off the areas you have seen the ch..reach
Jen/Montreal - Kathleen> yes it is very overwhelming at irst then it comes a part of your daily routine..I take five minutes in the morning to observe..and my daycare gives me a day to put it all together each session (takes a little more then a day) But let me tell you it's well worth it.
Randy/TN - In Sp. Ed. we do so much paperwork anyway a little more isn't going to bother me if it is going to help me better assess my students and provide the service thatthey need.
Kathleen - Jen, in what way has WSS had positive impact?
Jen/Montreal - WSS helps me focus on a challenging enviroment..cause I now know where mt kids are at in all areas of learning. I had a child who couldn't walk at 18 months...with many observations we got to the core of the problem and challenged him..he is now walking and is now starting to run.
Jen/Montreal - I'm in my second year using WSS and I feel I now know how to observe and what to record
Kathleen - So, Jen, you spend time every session recording observations about ONE group of children, or ONE CHILD, everyone within a week, How do you organize your observations??
Mary - Yes, do you write something for every child every day, or do a few each day?
Jen/Montreal - Kathleen..my co worker and I split the kids in half..I have only five kids to observe and I observe one at a time..sometimes I'll observe parellel play or group play.
Mary - Or, do you write something every day for a child that you are more concerned about because of special problems or a seeming lag?
Jen/Montreal - I do a few each day..about five a day.
Mary - Is this practical for a class of 20 - 25 and one teacher?
Randy/TN - In sp. ed, each child has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) with specific accademic goals. We are required by law to report their progress one each goal in their IEP. Could this system help me meet this requirment?
Jen/Montreal - Mary..yes I tend to write more on children with special needs...the more observations..the more proof I have
Kathleen - [The Rebus Site provides information about Work Sampling, and how to order materials: http://www.rebusinc.com/index2.html
Randy/TN - Thanks Kathleen! That might help me get started using this system.
Jen/Montreal - Randy..you could use WSS as the basis of your observations..but using different checklists..I'm not sure about this question
Randy/TN - Thanks Jen! You have been very helpful, too.
Kathleen - Randy, here is the ascd article by Dr. Meisels again: http://www.ascd.org/pubs/el/dec96/meisels.html
Kathleen - Mohoganee, welcome to a meeting about Work Sampling System!
Jen/Montreal - Mary..yes WSS was originally made for primary school.
Randy/TN - Great! I'll check both sites later.
Jen/Montreal - Your welcome randy..i apologize for not having all the anwers.
robby - Is this an assessement tool and how is it different than taking anectodal notes and COR assessment?
Kathleen - Randy, I just found this at the Rebus site: Work Sampling evaluates progress as well as performance, thus allowing children with special needs to demonstrate growth even in areas where their performance is delayed.
Jen/Montreal - I didn't leave my email address ... but if you are interested in email me my address is jennifer@microtec.net it would be nice to share ideas
Kathleen - robby: The Work Sampling System is an ongoing classroom performance assessment system that is used in preschool through fifth grade. Its purpose is to document children's skills, knowledge, behavior, and accomplishments across a wide variety of curriculum areas on multiple occasions in order to enhance teaching and learning.
Kathleen - The Rebus Company site shows that there is training in WSS in Ann Arbor Mich this July 1999
Kathleen - Also, school districts, centers can import trainers
Jen/Montreal - I have to run..Kathleen I hope I was some help
Kathleen - Jen, you gave us a session after all! Thank you very much!
Mary - Thanks, Jen I think I know enough to at least run a good search, now I can get started
Randy/TN - I like the idea of the sample reports. Are these just summaries of your daily observation and the progress of the student?
Mary - I'm wondering how Rubrics would fit in with this
Kathleen - Randy, Summary Reports replace conventional report cards as a way to inform parents and record student progress for teachers and administrators. These reports transform information from teacher observations, checklists, and portfolios into evaluations of student performance across all curricular areas.
