In 1991 the Oregon Legislature adopted a standards-based design for the state's schools of the future. Reflecting a standards-based system for education, Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) established competencies for teacher certification used in initial and continuing (advanced) teaching licensure in Oregon. As part of the documentation in their attainment of required competencies and effectiveness in fostering student learning, pre-service teachers are required to submit two samples of their work from their student teaching experience. The evaluation of these work samples is one element used in recommending pre-service teachers for initial licensure. TSPC and Western Oregon University require the completion of two teacher work samples, with the final work sample built around a three- to five-week unit of instruction.
In addition to a licensure requirement, work samples at WOU are built around their use as teaching and research tools. Teacher Work Sample Methodology can be considered both an instructional and an evaluation tool. It is a model of effective teaching that is grounded in a concept of teaching and learning that is student centered, outcome based, and context dependent. In essence, the completed work sample is an extended performance task that allows the assessment of the development of the effective teaching professional.
Each work sample includes a unit of instruction, evidence about pupil learning within the unit, and use of pupil data for future instructional and reporting plans. A work sample displays, among other things, objectives, instructional and assessment procedures, pupil performance data, and interpretation of the success of a unit of instruction. Work sample methodology is designed to align assessment with instructional objectives, with the goal of providing information relevant to instruction and achievement. Central to the methodology is the view of teachers as reflective practitioners. We believe this is essential to a teacher's growth as a professional. WOU teacher education graduates are responsible for interpreting and reflecting on their accomplishments in fostering student learning and for describing how this information will inform future practice.
More details on teacher work sample methodology
College of Education 503-838-8471 | or e-mail: education@wou.edu
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