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We share evidence-based K-12 learning strategies that empower you to improve education.

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Blogs on Assessment

Assessment

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Move past high-stakes testing and expand your understanding about the different types of effective assessment.

The Dark History of the Multiple-Choice Test

Ainissa RamirezMay 20, 2013

Tags Comprehensive Assessment, Performance Assessment, Standardized Testing, All Grades, History

I don’t need to tell you, but the United States is one of the most tested countries in the world, and the weapon of choice is the multiple-choice test. While many scorn them because they don't allow an opportunity for learning, multiple-choice tests have become a staple in the U.S. -- from college admissions to the popular television program Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Multiple-choice questions are an accepted institution. Yet we know little about where they come from. When researching materials for my book, Save Our Science, I stumbled across their not-so-nice origins.

The Arbitrary Albatross: Standardized Testing and Teacher Evaluation

Aaron PribbleMay 15, 2013

Tags Comprehensive Assessment, Education Reform, Performance Assessment, Standardized Testing, All Grades

On Chicago's streets and Hollywood's silver screens, education reform has been cast as a false dilemma between students and teachers. Reputable actresses and liberal mayors have both fallen prey. At the center of this drama lie teacher evaluations. A linchpin of the debate, they weigh especially heavily around the necks of educators like me.

Open Door Policy: College Success Portfolio Defenses

Bob LenzMay 15, 2013

Tags College Readiness, Teacher Development

How do you inspire teachers and school leaders to transform their practice when they have only read about or watched a video about the change they hope to implement?

How to Avoid Testing Burnout

Ben JohnsonMay 3, 2013

Tags Standardized Testing

I walked into three different classrooms today and saw three different movies. This week, some of our students were taking standardized tests. Is there a correlation? In Texas this year, our high school students will spend over 33 days taking state standardized tests. The new and quite controversial STAAR tests at the secondary level require students to pass five tests each year and keep taking them until they have passed them all.

Modeling: Essential for Learning

Karen LeaMarch 20, 2013

Tags Best Practices, Common Core Standards, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

Do you remember learning to tie your shoes? Or learning to bake a cake? Or learning to read? I'm guessing you did not learn by watching a video or listening to a lecture. You learned by being shown, and by practice. The same principle applies to our teaching! We must model for our students.

Teaching Students to Analyze Complex Nonverbal Texts

Todd FinleyMarch 20, 2013

Tags Common Core Standards, Literacy, Media Literacy, High (9-12), English Language Arts

Standard 9 of the Common Core State Standards underscores the importance of students reading and writing about complex literary and informational texts, skills critical for "college and career readiness in a twenty-first-century, globally competitive society."

The Importance of Play in Preparing for Standardized Testing

Matt LevinsonMarch 15, 2013

Tags Best Practices, Lesson Plans, Standardized Testing, Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

Standardized tests can be a wonderful teaching tool to enrich and deepen classroom learning.

What?! The prevailing wisdom states that standardized testing drains the life out of a classroom and saps students of interest and engagement, brings on unnecessary and at times crippling stress, and limits the view of what students are really learning in school.

Yes, You Can Teach and Assess Creativity!

Andrew MillerMarch 7, 2013

Tags Best Practices, Formative Assessment, Project-Based Learning, All Grades

A recent blog by Grant Wiggins affirmed what I have long believed about creativity: it is a 21st-century skill we can teach and assess. Creativity fosters deeper learning, builds confidence and creates a student ready for college and career.

Meaningful Connections: Objectives and Standards

Karen LeaMarch 7, 2013

Tags Common Core Standards, Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), Math

As a new teacher, you are probably being asked how your learning objectives are linked to standards. You might even be asked to display your objectives and/or standards for each lesson. On top of taking attendance, learning student names, classroom management . . . are you wondering how you will accomplish that? Don't despair, this is not as daunting as it seems!

Handling Teacher and Student Testing Burnout

Ben JohnsonFebruary 27, 2013

Tags Accountability, All Grades

I am so fed up with testing. In the state of Texas, out of 180 days of instruction, there are over 35 days of testing of one form or another. That is nearly 20 percent of the instructional year spent on state standardized testing. That does not include the district benchmarks, SAT, PSAT, ACT, AP course testing and even a few more!