Assessment
Reflections on NAEP: Breaking the Reactionary Cycle
In the wake of large-scale test score releases (especially those showing mediocre or negative results), political will for innovative educational programs often subsides. A system perspective shift toward whole-child development could stem this trend.
Evidence That Makes it Evident: Improving Assessment by Emulating the Trades
By: Elliot Washor and Charles Mojkowski. The expanded vision of the graduate has widened the gap between the competencies educators want for all graduates, and the evidence of competence educators are actually collecting. Here's one way we can begin to change that.
The Future of Testing
Future forms of large-scale assessment will function as integral dimensions of learning itself, rather than interruptions. They’ll both evaluate and reinforce the full array of knowledge and skills required for the success in both academic work and in real life.
Measuring What Matters: A Framework Review
This post reviews several whole-student outcome frameworks, particularly those that attempt to describe and measure productive dispositions and habits.
6 Tips for Creating Powerful Assessments for Your Students
By: Melissa Maypole. Assessments are no longer simply tests that students fret about or neglect to study for. As you probably know (likely based off of first-hand experience), today’s environment of heightened accountability for educators has made them stressful for teachers as well.
How Assessing Growth Informs Individualized Instruction
By: Kathy Dyer. While there are assessment measures that provide educators with valuable data representing the growth of the whole student, for many schools and districts it calls for a thorough review of their current assessment system.
Superintendents Reflect on their Move Beyond Test Scores
By: Todd Brekhus. To truly understand and support their students’ literacy, these two superintendents have adopted an innovative method they call “measuring reading with reading." Learn more about their strategies here.
Innovating Large-Scale Assessments: Design Considerations for Education Leaders
By: Dr. Stuart Kahl. Interest in innovative assessment practices is growing, and it is important to capitalize on this momentum with new assessment strategies that emphasize higher order skills while minimizing the burden placed on schools.
Science Assessments Under NGSS: What Can We Expect?
The introduction of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) has been a catalyst for the development of assessments that are more aligned to what we actually want next-gen scientists to be able to do and perform.
Smart Review | The Flexible ELA Classroom
Amber Chandler's new book can inform a range of disciplines, serve the needs of public or private schools, and help anyone who deals in discipline-specific vocabulary, reading, presentations or projects.