Assessment Practices of Practicum Supervisors

Abstract

Assessment, undoubtedly, plays a significant role, not only in helpingstudents learn but also in improving instruction. Using assessmentpractices mentioned in the National Professional Standards for Teachersin Pakistan (2009) as an analytical framework, this qualitative studydocumented the assessment practices of practicum supervisors from threemajor teacher preparation programs (TPPs) in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.Faculty members who had served practicum twice and student teachersfrom the VIII semester were the participants. The main data sources -interviews and focused group discussion, were transcribed verbatim andcoded using provisional themes. The analysis revealed that practicumsupervisors from the three TPPs were not following NPSTP as a guide toassess student teachers’ (STs) teaching. This study underscores the role ofpracticum supervisors in improving learning experiences for STs duringpracticum and identifies the current assessment practices to suggestfocusing on all the aspects i.e., lesson planning, management, assessment,and teaching, and should use the NPSTP’s assessment rubric for STsassessment to make practicum more beneficial and productive.