Benchmark Assessments Connections

Carol Brewer
Mar 16, 2009

Benchmark Assessments are a powerful tool for instruction.  They are aligned to state standards, as well as state assessments.  The questions from these assessments should be used as connections to all subject areas.  For example, English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Music, Art, PE, Health, etc. teachers should include these questions in their everyday instruction.  They should have a copy of these assessments and use the "question stems" to create other questions.  Remember these questions from the Benchmark Assessments are aligned to the state tests; it is like the state has given a preview of the questions that will be used for the end of grade tests.  It is the schools' responsibility to take advantage of this preview.

The following chart is an example of how to make the connection from the Reading Comprehension Benchmark Assessment to a Social Studies lesson.  Notice the question stem that is used in the Reading Assessment can be used to create a Social Studies question.  The more the "stem" is used, the stronger the student understanding!

Refer to the Questioning Technique Chapter in the Connecting Learning to Assessments Book and Flipchart.