Curriculum-based measurement

Curriculum-based Measurement

Curriculum-based measurement (CBM) is a form of educational assessment that is used to monitor students' progress in basic academic areas such as reading, mathematics, writing, and spelling. It is a standardized method that allows educators to assess the effectiveness of their instruction and make data-driven decisions to improve student learning outcomes.

Overview

CBM is designed to be a quick and efficient way to assess student performance. It involves brief, timed assessments that are administered regularly, often weekly or bi-weekly. These assessments are aligned with the curriculum and are used to track students' progress over time. The results from CBM can help teachers identify students who are struggling and may need additional support or intervention.

Key Features

One of the key features of CBM is its focus on fluency, which refers to the speed and accuracy with which students can perform a task. For example, in reading, CBM might measure the number of words a student can read correctly in one minute. In mathematics, it might measure the number of problems a student can solve correctly in a given time period.

CBM is also characterized by its use of progress monitoring. This involves regularly assessing students to determine whether they are making progress toward their academic goals. Teachers can use the data from CBM to adjust their instruction and provide targeted interventions to help students improve.

Implementation

To implement CBM, teachers first need to select appropriate measures that align with their curriculum. These measures should be reliable and valid indicators of student performance. Teachers then administer the assessments on a regular schedule and record the results. The data is typically graphed to provide a visual representation of student progress over time.

Teachers use the data from CBM to make instructional decisions. For example, if a student is not making adequate progress, the teacher might provide additional instruction or modify the teaching approach. CBM data can also be used to set goals for students and to communicate progress to parents and other stakeholders.

Benefits

CBM offers several benefits for educators and students. It provides immediate feedback on student performance, allowing teachers to make timely adjustments to their instruction. It also helps identify students who may need additional support, enabling early intervention. Additionally, CBM can motivate students by showing them their progress over time.

Challenges

While CBM is a valuable tool, it also presents some challenges. Teachers need to be trained in how to administer the assessments and interpret the data. There is also a need for high-quality CBM materials that are aligned with the curriculum. Furthermore, CBM requires time and resources to implement effectively.

Related Pages

• Formative assessment
• Response to intervention
• Educational assessment
• Standardized test