TWS Aid for Scorers
Information on the Background of TWS
The Mission of the Teacher Work Sample
The TWS measures the ability to:
Construct and deliver an instructional unit
Construct challenging and meaningful
assessments
Adapt instruction to meet student needs
Measure learning gains and achievement
Analyze and reflect on teaching decisions
and results
The TWS Vision
The TWS Vision is to:
Connect the performance of candidates to
PK-12 student learning
Assess candidate performance relative to
national, state, and institutional standards
Provide a framework for teacher
professional development
Develop self-assessment & reflection skills
TWS
Preparation for the TWS
Completing a TWS became a requirement for all student teachers
& interns beginning Spring 2002.
Elementary interns learn about the TWS process beginning in
Block 1 classes.
During Block 2 (first P. D. S. semester), interns prepare a
sample reading TWS using elements of the TWS design.
Elementary (Block 3) complete a TWS as part of the EL431
Secondary (Phase 1) complete a “Practice” TWS (prior to
student teaching).
Secondary (Phase 2) complete a TWS as part of the ED431
course.
ESU supervisors will provide appropriate assistance to interns.
Mentor teachers/supervisors may provide assistance as
provided by the TWS Assistance Policy.
The Seven Factors
The Seven Kansas Performance
Assessment Factors Reflected in the TWS
Each TWS needs to provide proof of meeting the following standards.
Contextual
Information &
Learning
Environment
Unit Learning
Goals & Objectives
Instructional Design
& Implementation
Reflection &
Self-Evaluation
Factors
Demonstration of
Integration Skills
Analysis of
Assessment
Procedures
Analysis of
Classroom Learning
Environment
Factor 1:
Contextual Information & Learning
Environment
Educational Purposes
Increase teacher’s concept of
classroom diversity
Link information about diversity to
instructional design
Measurement Purpose:
Provide information about teacher’s
awareness of contextual factors
and ultimately data to examine
their ability to function as a
professional in a diverse setting.
Rubric used
by scorers
Factor 2:
Unit Learning Goals and Objectives
Educational Purposes
Promote use of more challenging
instruction for all P-12 pupils
Promote use , interpretation, and
application of Kansas Content
Standards and District Standards
Encourage teachers to avoid
“knowledge only” targets
Measurement Purpose:
Aid in interpretation of gain scores
(i.e., what type and presentation of
learning does the gain score
represent)
Rubric used
by scorers
Factor 3:
Instructional Design & Implementation
Educational Purposes
Link instructional design to learning
objectives
Encourage teachers to design
challenging lessons that:
Impact learning for all students
Address different learning styles
Incorporate a wide range of
reading abilities
Incorporate technology
Use learning centered
environment
Measurement Purpose:
Ensure that teachers understand and
use a variety of appropriate
instructional strategies
Rubric used
by scorers
Factor 4:
Demonstration of Integration Skills
Educational Purposes:
Demonstrate the ability to integrate
across and within content fields
Demonstrate the ability to teach
thinking skills
Measurement Purpose:
Ensure that teachers can facilitate all
students’ abilities to understand
relationships between subject areas
Rubric used
by scorers
Factor 5:
Analysis of Classroom Learning
Environment
Educational Purposes:
Provide opportunity for teachers to
link learning results to classroom
efforts
Promote teacher reflection on the
impact the unit had on individual
small group and whole group
learning
Provide evidence of a sufficient
classroom management plan
Measurement Purpose:
Ensure teachers provide a
classroom environment supportive
of student interaction in learning
activities
Rubric used
by scorers
Factor 6:
Analysis of Assessment Procedures
Educational Purposes:
Promote link between learning
objectives and assessments
Encourage the use of different
assessment formats
Encourage the use of challenging
assessments
Measurement Purposes:
Encourage teachers to avoid using
simple knowledge based
assessment unless appropriate
Teachers can present some
representation of calculating
student gain scores
Rubric used
by scorers
Factor 7:
Reflection and Self-Evaluation
Educational Purposes:
Promote analysis and synthesis
of all activities
Promote professional
development
Promote a better understanding
of the implications for the state
assessment and accreditation
process on the teacher’s
classroom
Measurement Purposes:
Estimate the degree to which the
unit was successful
Demonstrate that the teacher
can successfully evaluate the
effects of his or her choices and
actions
Rubric used
by scorers
Review the assessor guidelines
Click on the link
Check your scoring biases
Step 1 Traits of an Excellent
Teacher Work Sample biases
Step 2 Traits of a Poor Teacher
Work Sample biases
Step 3 Record your PERSONAL BIAS
HIT LIST