2007-2008 Student Assessment Options

Staff Improvement Packages

OWP student assessment workshops are consistently ranked as excellent by participants. They are given high rankings for allowing teachers to understand how their students’ writing skills can be translated into success on state-required tests. They help identify how students are doing early in 3rd, 4th, and 7th-10th grades and train teachers to use writing assessment as an instructional tool.

OWP trainers have experience working with teachers at all grade levels in all disciplines. OWP can make workshops and assessment training available anytime at the district’s convenience.

“This workshop was very informative and answered all of our questions well, helping us understand ODE scoring of writing for 7th grade. It gave valuable information for all teachers to use in their classroom.”
(Tipp City 7th grade Teacher)“I always see this work as worthwhile. It helps me to refocus on this grading process, so I can take information back with me into the classroom.”
(Greenville High School Teacher)

One-Day Student Assessment Workshop

OWP will bring an experienced trainer to your school to give teachers at varying grade levels an overview of standards, rubrics, and current state requirements and testing. Language Arts teachers will be trained in how to score writing samples at 3rd, 4th or 7th grades. Content teachers in grades 4 - 10 will be trained in how to score short answer and extended response items for Ohio’s achievement or graduation tests. This one-day workshop will help teachers better understand the demands of state testing, prepare for locally graded practice tests, and incorporate writing strategies into all content areas.

Two-Day OAT/OGT Writing Assessment and Grading Package

As part of this assessment, OWP will provide testing materials for your students. Your teachers will administer the student tests, collect and return them to the Ohio Writing Project. We will schedule a two-day training for teachers in your school following the completion of the test.

On day one, the trainer will provide an overview of standards, testing procedures, and rubrics. The teachers will calibrate using an anchor packet of student writing and will begin grading students’ papers. Teachers will not grade writing from their own students.

Day two will begin with a short recalibration and completion of the grading. This two-day workshop will end with specific, practical strategies for improving student writing. In a follow-up meeting we will return score reports and discuss ways to improve student’s writing. This assessment option provides teachers with valuable OGT information, aligns department grading practices, evaluates student work, and connects the test to classroom practice. Schools may choose to evaluate either ninth or tenth grade students.


To enroll your district in the student assessment program, email Jean McLear mclearja@muohio.edu or call the OWP office at 513-529-5245.