Comparative investigation of alternative assessment methods used in Turkey and U.S elementary 4th grade mathematics curriculum (sampling of Adiyaman and Pittsburgh)

This study investigates the applicability of alternative assessment methods used in 4th grade mathematics courses in order to implement these methods more effectively in elementary schools. To this end, the applications of alternative assessment methods in the U.S., as one of the countries that implement elementary curricula effectively, has been subjected to a comparative analysis with Turkey and accordingly, suggestions for changes in Turkey's mathematics curriculum will be presented. This case study was designed to examine the alternative assessment methods used in Turkey and U.S. elementary 4th grade mathematics curriculum comparatively. Oriented sampling was used to determine the sample of this study: six elementary school and 12 teachers in Adiyaman in the southeast region of Turkey and four elementary schools and 12 teachers in Pittsburgh in US. Qualitative data was collected through document examining, semi-structured observation and semi-structured interviews; was analyzed according to content analysis; and was group according to the themes, subthemes and code. The document examination indicated a similarity in the foundational resources used in mathematics curricula and the frequency of information referenced and methods implemented. On the other hand, findings for the classroom observations revealed a difference in assessment: teachers instructing in the United States applied the alternative assessment methods in their classrooms while teachers instructing in Turkey did not apply the alternative assessment methods in theirs. Data from the teacher interviews disclosed the following factors preventing the application of alternative methods as time, the availability of other methods, and the enormous pressure to teach to the test. As a result of the comparison of the data, this study recommends Project Based Performance Task as an applicable proposal for Turkey. Keywords: Primary School, Mathematics Curriculum,