Training of math teachers on development of test materials for assessment of students’ academic performance

Abstract

The subject of this research is the question of advanced training of math teachers on organization of tests for assessment of students’ academic performance. The author determines the problems associated with ineptitude of the teachers to develop materials for testing academic achievements, insufficiency of advanced training courses dedicated to diagnostic and assessment of academic performance of students, lack of theoretical knowledge for conducting diagnostic procedures. Special attention is given to the requirements to professional competences of teachers in the area of assessment of students’ academic performance, formulated in the occupational standards of pedagogues, Federal State Educational Standard of public education, and Concept of Mathematical Education of the Russian Federation. The definitions of pedagogical diagnostic testing formulated by K. Ingenkamp, I. P. Podlasy, V. M. Polonsky, A. B. Vorontsov are presented; the stages of diagnostic testing activity are outlined. As one of the solutions, the author describes the training experience of math teachers of Novosibirsk in the classes of consulting center and creative team, arranged by the Municipal Center of Education Development on the premises of Gymnasium No.10. The scientific novelty consists in elaboration of training course for the teachers (thematic content is presented in the article) and its implementation by the author. Activity of the center and creative team received the awards of city and regional contests “Secret of Success”, “Innovations in Education”, and “Educational Siberia”. In the beginning of training, the teacher were offered to fill in the questionnaire for defining their goals from taking these classes. Some of the survey results are provided in the article. Although the training of teachers is still in progress, their feedback and awards of pedagogical contests hold out a hope that its is the right path.