Marxist Theory, Assessment, and the Check Mark!

The Marxist Theory is a good for helping develop a socially just classroom. Using this frame to explore multicultural literature, can provide students with a way to explore and identify issues of power, economics, and race. As a result, students can gain a better understanding of the world around them and become more aware and understanding of others that are different from them. Secondly, assessment is very important for identifying whether or not learning is taking place in the classroom. We know that students have learned something when they can apply the desired skills in a variety of situations. Developing different kinds assessment to assess the same skills can be a great way for teachers to identify whether or not the students are learning. Thirdly, the chapter on assessment also mentioned that a teacher does not have to grade everything, sometimes a check mark can be enough to let students know that their work is important and that you (the teacher) read their projects. I remember someone telling me that a check mark is not good enough that students need feedback about how well they are doing and the only thing a check mark says is I saw your work. This gives the student no way of knowing what was good about the work. How do you feel about the check mark? Do you think it is enough?