Teacher Induction Module: Formative Assessment System (FAS) Cycle
FAS is a series of collaborative processes characterized by a consistent focus on student learning. Mentors work with individual new teachers to collect and analyze multiple data sources as they reflect upon and assess the teacher’s classroom practice. A variety of carefully designed tools are used to structure the mentor-beginning teacher interactions and support each beginning teacher’s development in relation to professional standards. The focus, process, and pacing of each of the FAS tools are determined collaboratively by the mentor and the beginning teacher in light of the teacher’s individual needs.
Analysis of Student Work and Planning Lessons represent two sets of tools used in the New Teacher Center Formative Assessment System. Mentors and beginning teachers work collaboratively to examine the work of students in new teachers’ classrooms to discover student learning needs and determine how best to address them, and then continue by planning lessons responding to their planning.
Mentors use their experience and expertise to help the beginning teacher select appropriate student work, establish criteria for assessment, and sort and analyze the work to identify learning needs. Together, they identify patterns that become apparent from this analysis and reflect on implications for the teacher’s practice.
