Viewing
Option #1: Live Viewing of Standard Group Assessment,
K-2, 3-5, 6-8 or 9-12
The Live Assessment Viewing option is a series of guided activities requiring a very full day. It begins early in the morning (before the actual Assessment) with an introductory presentation that explains the Assessment’s history and development, as well as providing and overview of the process you are about to view. During this time, the Assessment team will be organizing the Assessment area. The presentation is designed to give the Viewers a “crash course” in what it’s like to be an Observer. “Crash course” is a bit of an understatement considering that five days of training will be condensed into less than an hour. But the basic skills presented will allow you to follow along in the process, mimicking what the Observer does, looking for the same problem-solving strategies. Throughout the Assessment activities, Viewers are seated at tables with the students and Observer. A typical scenario is five round tables throughout the room, each with an Observer on one side, a Viewer on the other, and four to five children spread between them. Viewers are instructed to not assist or otherwise interact with the Observer during the activities, to minimize distractions and avoid affecting the results. During breaks between activities, the DISCOVER guide answers questions and further explains what happened in the preceding activity while Observers prepare for the next activity. After the classroom portion of the Assessment is complete, Viewers gather to watch the Observers complete the debriefing portion, where ratings are assigned. At the end of the day, the DISCOVER guide answers remaining questions and, if desired, helps viewers put together a plan for how the Assessment might be implemented in their school or district. An evening meeting with the Assessment Observers is optional and can be a helpful way of answering specific questions that arose throughout the day.
When scheduling a Live Viewing, specify which grade levels you want to see, either K-2, 3-5, 6-8, or 9-12. If your school has not decided which grade (or grades) they might want to assess, we recommend adding an Interactive Video Seminar (Viewing Option #2), showing samples of Assessments from various grade levels.
Each Live Viewing can accommodate up to five Viewers (one per table). If your school plans to send only one or two Viewers, we sometimes can coordinate with other schools to form a team of five, making the process more cost effective through cost-sharing.
Certain restrictions apply regarding who can be a Viewer. We do not permit Viewers to participate in an Assessment if they are related to, of even are acquainted with, one or more of the children being assessed; such a circumstance tends to change the children’s behavior. We also do not allow parents to view the Assessment if they have a child who will be officially assessed in the near future, to prevent possible bias of Assessment results for that child. Finally, Viewers must sign a statement agreeing not to divulge details of the Assessment process. It is very important that key Assessment procedures be kept confidential, so that “well-meaning” teachers and parents do not inadvertently coach the children in what the Assessment is looking for. The Assessment’s reliability and validity depend on creating a neutral environment where children feel comfortable to express their abilities naturally, through what appear to be nothing more than fun activities.
The primary reason for offering Assessment Viewing is to provide school administrators an opportunity to see the process in action, as an aid to decision-making about implementing the Assessment in their school. Parental curiosity is of course expected and welcome. So we are prepared to offer a special Video Seminar to the community, explaining the concepts without giving away crucial details.
Live Viewings should be scheduled well in advance, to assure coordination of details between your staff, our staff, and school officials where the Assessment will occur. Because Assessment results for each child are certified and confidential, the respective school must grant permission for the viewing and may contribute additional restrictions or legal requirements.
You will have a choice of who guides the Viewing—either Dr. Maker or a DISCOVER staff member experienced in Assessment implementation and training. We recommend the guide be a staff member. Dr. Maker’s speaking schedule and University responsibilities allow only occasional slots of time for DISCOVER-related services, such that she sometimes is booked more than a year in advance. Experienced DISCOVER staff members conduct a large majority of the available services.
In Tucson: $600 if guided by a DISCOVER staff member or $800 if guided by Dr. Maker. Up to five viewers can participate.
On-site, in a location other than Tucson: $900 plus DISCOVER-related travel expenses, if guided by a DISCOVER staff member or $1,200 plus DISCOVER-related travel expenses, if by Dr. Maker. If the staff member or Dr. Maker will be at the location already, as a result of conducting services for the on-site school, that school will cover the DISCOVER-related travel expenses instead. For example, if you view an Assessment conducted as a result of an Assessment training, no travel expenses will be charged.
Add $200 to above costs if choosing the optional evening discussion with Observers. This fee will be used to compensate the Observers for the extra time.
International: Fees at locations outside of the continental U.S. will vary, depending on the distance and circumstances. Please contact the DISCOVER office for a customized rate plan.
