Making Assessment Practices Valid for indigenous American Students by Sharon Nelson-Barber and Elise Trumbull

This reading focuses on how research can find ways to aid in making assessment valid for indigenous American students. It is clear that NCLBA has placed indigenous students with assessments that are quite challenging due to cultural context. Research showed that cultural elements found by Demmert will help to improve the academic performances of indigenous learners. It was found that using local knowledge and culture in the curriculum and using the funds of knowledge help the students to succeed with work and assessments in school. Back in the days, children observed and learned from their parents, grandparents, and close relatives through cultural activities. They learned from hearing stories and family experiences. And children practiced those cultural activities by interacting through play and pretending. It is true that tasks were learned at home throughout the seasons. One learned by trial and error and when a task was accepted by elders and parents, the individual became aware of his or her successful performances. Elders and parents used to observe the natural abilities and characteristics of young children to foresee their future performances and successes.