Assessment

Look beyond high-stakes testing to learn about different ways of assessing the full range of student ability -- social, emotional, and academic achievement.

Overview

Assessment for Understanding

Standardized tests aren't the only way of gauging student achievement. Through various measures, including portfolios, presentations, and tests, educators are using performance assessments to measure what students know and can do. Watch an introduction video.

History

Comprehensive Assessment: A Short History

Comprehensive assessment embraces the whole system of assessing student understanding as a mechanism to improve teaching and learning. Learn more.

Experts

What the Experts Say

Educators and researchers share their views on why authentic assessment is a critical piece of the learning process. See what the experts say.

Research

Research: Integrating Assessment into Classroom Practice

Assessment is the single most effective instructional strategy to increase learning. Learn about the key comprehensive assessment practices that have been shown by research to promote learning. Dig deeper.

DiscussExpand

The Problem with Standards-Based Grading

Last comment 3 weeks 14 min ago

14 232 22,424 views

Making Failure Harder Work Than Passing

Last comment 5 days 16 hours ago

42 2,631 75,991 views

Differentiated Instruction: Helping Every Child Succeed

Last comment 3 weeks 6 days ago

8 265 26,161 views

Making Failure Harder Work Than Passing

Wed, 09/30/2015 - 10:00

42 2,631 75,991 views

Using Webb's Depth of Knowledge to Increase Rigor

Thu, 09/04/2014 - 06:11

7 312 313,164 views

Standardized Testing Fails the Exam

Wed, 03/23/2005 - 00:00

47 173 5,980 views

WatchExpand

Assessment Videos See More Videos

Photo of students sitting in a large circle

The Intensified Socratic Seminar Assessment Guide

Download two blank assessment handouts, one for peer evaluation of student performance in Socratic seminar discussions, one for student self-assessment.

3 2,990 views

Individual Learning Plan

Download the student learning plan template used at KIPP King Collegiate High School to help students monitor their own growth and development.

1 11,710 views

Student Feedback Survey

Use this short survey to let students provide feedback on their classes.

1 6,727 views

Browse

Article

Brain-Based Strategies to Reduce Test Stress

A neurologist shares ideas for beating stress before and during test time.

8 1,556 14,539 views

A teacher works with a group of students.

Article

Sharing the Depth of Knowledge Wheel With Students

Many teachers use Norman Webb’s framework in developing assignments, but it can also be shared with students to help them develop literacy skills.

3 557 3,873 views

Young boy sits at desk with a confused look on his take while taking a test.

Article

Test Prep Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming

Help your students use technology and build their confidence—and teach them to speak the tests’ language.

1 362 624 views

Photo of a girl taking a test, with illustrations drawn on the photo

Article

Play as a Test Prep Tool

Use these games built around standardized tests to build engagement and fuel learning.

408 975 views

A female teacher in a blue shirt and glasses is sitting in a classroom alone, looking at papers.

Article

3 Ways Student Data Can Inform Your Teaching

Gather and use valuable student data to inform your classroom practice.

4 496 196,829 views

Real-Time Assessment: Providing a Window Into Student Learning

Article

Challenging Every Student in the Room

Easy ways to quickly gather student data every day—and how you can use it to reach all of your students, whether they’re ahead or behind.

125 4,845 views

Article

U.S. Math Scores Fall in Global Rankings

The latest PISA rankings show a decline in U.S. math scores, but experts say that focusing on successes at home may be more important.

3 284 1,494 views

Pages

Article

Dipsticks: Efficient Ways to Check for Understanding

Through alternative formative assessment, teachers can check for student understanding without falling back on the tedious or intimidating pop quiz.

43 808 491,546 views

article

Resources for Understanding the Common Core State Standards

Explore an educator's guide to websites, organizations, articles, and other resources looking at the new system of standards and how they will be assessed.

37 2,340 402,222 views

article

What Are Some Types of Assessment?

There are many alternatives to traditional standardized tests that offer a variety of ways to measure student understanding, from Edutopia.org's Assessment Professional Development Guide.

2 71 400,627 views

article

Why Is Assessment Important?

Asking students to demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter is critical to the learning process; it is essential to evaluate whether the educational goals and standards of the lessons are being met. From Edutopia.org's Assessment Professional...

3 173 370,055 views

Article

8 Strategies for Teaching Academic Language

Edutopia blogger Todd Finley explains how academic language differs from social language and offers eight specific strategies for teaching the vocabulary that students require to succeed in the Common Core and on the SAT.

36 1,620 361,814 views

Article

Using Webb's Depth of Knowledge to Increase Rigor

Norman Webb's Depth of Knowledge Levels is a system that categorizes tasks according to the complexity of thinking required to successfully complete them.

7 312 313,164 views

article

How Should We Measure Student Learning? 5 Keys to Comprehensive Assessment

Stanford professor Linda Darling-Hammond shares how using well-crafted formative and performance assessments, setting meaningful goals, and giving students ownership over the process can powerfully affect teaching and learning.

60 1,030 271,959 views

Pages

Newsome Park elementary student holding a worm from the worm bin

Article

Assessment Professional Development Guide

An overview of the Edutopia professional development guide for understanding the many ways to assess student learning in the classroom.

70 27,158 views

Classroom Guide: Top Ten Tips for Assessing Project-Based Learning

This guide will inspire and expand your thinking about effective assessment for project-based learning. Tips are organized to follow the arc of a project: planning, launch into active learning, and then a culminating presentation. Reflection is the final...

3 3,453 109,377 views

Search form

Assessment

DiscussExpand

WatchExpand

ResourcesExpand

Browse

Pages

Pages