The term "firsthand" and "secondhand data sources"(p. 11) really helped me think of how powerful our conversations with parents and the community can be. I must admit, I have spent a great amont of time moaning about not being trusted as a professional, yet I have never tried to do anything about it. The idea that I know my students best, but a single test on a given day ends up being the final say on my students' ability has always upset me. However, I have complained and never even tried to find a better way to put my words and practices together to come up with a solution to help parents, community and students (stakeholders) see the importance of formative assessment. Maybe now I can begin that journey.
What are you thinking?
