I am delighted to share the news that our first symposium of 2025 takes place on March 8 and we are thrilled to announce that the incredible Dr Jan Hasbrouck will be our special guest.
Our topic this time is Assessing Literacy Skills - a really timely and meaty topic with each presentation exploring a different angle of literacy assessment.
Content will include:
Types of Literacy Assessment (Dr Jen O’Sullivan)
This presentation highlights the important role of assessment in children’s literacy development, focusing on four key types: diagnostic, standardised, progress monitoring, and screening. We will explore each assessment type, discussing its purpose, application, and how it can help identify challenges, track progress, and guide instructional decisions.
Assessment and Play-Based Literacy Learning (Clara Fiorentini)
With an increased presence of play-based learning in primary school, valuable opportunities exist for teachers to gather knowledge which enables purposeful decision making in efforts to scaffold and enhance children’s literacy skill development. This presentation examines opportunities for integrating assessment into play-based learning in ways that can augment and support children’s literacy learning.
The assessment data is collected and interpreted…now what? (Dr Treasa Bowe)
In this presentation we will explore how teachers can use their multiple data points to identify and prioritise goals for targeted small group instruction and the various formats these interventions may take. We consider how to provide supports and accommodations in Tier 1 instruction with complex texts to achieve maximum learning for all.
Rethinking Spelling Tests (Dee O’Toole)
Discover better ways to assess spelling than the traditional Friday test! This presentation will introduce spelling screeners and show how to analyze spelling errors through phonology, orthography, and morphology. Learn how to use these insights to plan focused, effective instruction that helps students thrive. Perfect for educators looking to improve spelling assessment and teaching strategies.
Making sense of fluency data…what does ORF measure? (Dr Jan Hasbrouck)
These days the curriculum-based measure (CBM) of oral reading fluency (ORF) is widely used in schools across the world. Most schools are using one of the several commercial versions of ORF measures available today, including DIBELS 8th Edition (mClass) from the U of Oregon, or Acadience, or easyCBM, or AIMSweb, or FAST Bridge, or iStation, etc. But what do these ORF assessments actually measure? Why are we relying so much on a 60 second measure of oral fluency on unpracticed text? Is this really fair? And shouldn't we really be assessing our students' comprehension? This session, presented by an expert in reading fluency and curriculum-based measurement, will answer all these questions so educators will be empowered to collect the right amount data, using the right assessment tools, and at the end of the day, be able to accurately and efficiently use the data to make the best decisions about our students' instruction.
About Dr Jan Hasbrouck:
Jan Hasbrouck, Ph.D., is a leading researcher, educational consultant, and author who works with schools in the U.S. and internationally. Dr. Hasbrouck worked as a reading specialist and coach for 15 years and later became a professor. She is the author and coauthor of several books, and her research in reading fluency, academic assessment and interventions, and instructional coaching has been widely published. She continues to collaborate with researchers on projects related to assessment and intervention, and when schools are open, enjoys volunteering at her grandson’s K–8 school in Seattle.
FAQs.
❓Will the symposium be recorded?
Yes! After the symposium, you will receive a link to the recording, which will be available to view for 30 days.
❓Will the slides be available?
Yes! You will receive the slides and resources after the symposium.
❓Will there be a chance to ask questions?
Yes! Time will be allocated for Q&A, and the chat function will be moderated by the presenters.
Registration fee: €40
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