Appendix D: Teacher Focus Group Protocol
1. Describe the use of formative assessments in your school and district. Are these assessments useful to you? If so, why? If
not, why not?
2. How do you use formative assessments in your classroom?
3. How would you describe the amount of time spent on assessments at your school? How would you describe the amount
of time spent preparing for assessments at your school?
4. What are the top challenges and benefits you face with assessment in your classroom or school?
5. Are there any gaps you see in the assessments you have access to?
6. How would you describe a high-quality assessment?
7. Do you feel that Tennessee’s current state assessments are reflective of student learning? What changes would you make
to our current assessment?
8. Describe how you feel about Tennessee’s transition to the TNReady assessment.
•
How has your principal and/or district communicated with you about the changes to Tennessee’s assessment?
•
What support do you need to ensure a successful transition to TNReady?
9. Describe your school and district’s readiness for the TNReady assessment from a technological standpoint.
Appendix E: Principal Focus Group Protocol
1. Describe the use of formative assessments in your school and district. Are these assessments useful to you? If so, why? If
not, why not?
2. Do you implement any formative or benchmark assessments that are unique to your school? If so, how do you use these
assessments? What process do you go through to select these assessments?
3. How would you describe the amount of time spent on assessments at your school? How would you describe the amount
of time spent preparing for assessments at your school?
4. What are the top challenges and benefits you face with assessments in your school?
5. What are you hearing about assessments from your teachers? What about parents and community members?
6. Are there any gaps you see in the assessments you have access to?
7. How would you describe a high-quality assessment?
8. Do you feel that Tennessee’s current state assessments are reflective of student learning? What changes would you make
to our current assessment?
9. Describe how you feel about Tennessee’s transition to the TNReady assessment.
•
How has your district communicated with you about the changes to Tennessee’s assessment?
•
What support do you need to ensure a successful transition to TNReady?
•
How are educators in your school feeling about the TNReady assessment?
10. Describe your school and district’s readiness for the TNReady assessment from a technological standpoint.
11. Describe your thoughts on student readiness for the TNReady assessment from a technological standpoint.
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