R.E.A.L. Criteria

Here it is, March of 2021, almost one year after Covid struck.  My school was one of those that shut totally down for the final quarter of school but once the new year arrived, school began in person after a delay and several times of changing from staying distance to hybrid, to full green with masks, etc.  Overall, we’ve been pretty much green but we have a certain number out everyday due to quarantine, especially with the one case found last week.

Unfortunately, many schools are still closed and having to teach by distance which can make assessment even more difficult. Schools still want to have some sort of assessment but under the circumstances, it can be harder than normal.  One recommendation is that teachers focus on what is important in the curriculum.   

Unfortunately, it has been noted that a teacher  left with no guidance, they tend to  revert to teaching what they are most comfortable with rather than looking at the whole picture. For this situation it has been recommended that one look at the  R.E.A.L. criteria.  R.E.A.L stands for readiness, endurance, assessed, and leverage.

Readiness refers to the skill or piece of knowledge that is necessary for students to have so they do well in the next level.  For algebra I that might be being able to manipulate or rewrite formulas to use in Geometry or Algebra II.  Endurance refers to knowing the material for longer than the unit so when it is revisited, they will still know it or at least be able to recall it.  Students will know it in future classes all the way to college.

Assessed means that the material may not be essential to future learning but it is tested on nationally standardized tests such as ACT or SAT.  In other words, it is a skill they need to do well on future state and national tests but is not necessary to do well in college. Finally, is this skill or piece of knowledge that could be used across the curriculum or in other classes.  

This is a nice guideline for schools who are trying to focus on what should be taught during the year.  The guideline focuses on information that is important for future classes and for standardized tests and unfortunately, those are not always the same.  Using the R.E.A.L criteria means teachers have to sit down to determine which standards meet this criteria and are the most important.  This step is a time consuming collaborative step but it is well worth it.

On Friday, I’ll look more at ways to assess during the Covid.  Your district and mine might be face to face but I know of several that are still distance.  In addition, many of these suggestions work in a face to face situation just as well as distance.  Let me know what you think, I’d love to hear.  Have a great day.