The Importance of Guiding Principles in Education
Education systems like accountability and assessment are complex, so it’s essential to create a set of principles that serve as a north star in their design.
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Bringing a Fresh Perspective to Assessment Purpose
Two California school districts conducted reviews of their required assessments. In the second of a two-part series, we share what they learned.
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Eliminating Unnecessary District-Required Assessments
Two California school districts conducted reviews of their required assessments. In the first of a two-part series, we share what they learned.
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Let’s Take Stock of High-Stakes Testing
A debate has roiled for decades about using educational assessments for consequential decisions. We’ll dive into that debate at RILS 2024.
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No Escape from Artificial Intelligence in Education
AI is rapidly reshaping knowledge work and professional learning in education. These changes were on full display at this year’s assessment conferences.
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How States Can Avoid “Cruel Optimism” in Teacher Professional Learning
States have a crucial role to play in supporting high-quality teacher learning. These three steps can help them avoid “cruel optimism.”
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Instructing & Assessing 21st Century Skills: A Focus on Analytical Thinking
Guidance on defining and assessing analytical thinking, a skill that’s increasingly important to students’ future success.
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Instructionally Useful Assessments: Don’t Tell Us—Show Us
Education leaders and vendors claim that many assessments are “instructionally useful.” Such claims must be highly specific, and supported by evidence.
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Assessment Data Masquerading as Instructionally Useful Information
Which kinds of tests provide information that helps teachers adjust their instruction? We outline 10 key features of instructionally useful assessments
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Stop Trying to Use Commercial Interim Tests for Instructional Purposes
The concept of “strategic abandonment” sheds light on the appropriate uses of commercial interim assessments. Instructional utility isn’t one of them.
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Moving Education From Accountability to Shared Responsibility
Shifting from an accountability mindset to reciprocal responsibility could transform the way schools, districts and states work toward improvement.
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What We’re Up To: Center Presentations at NCSA
We’re giving a bunch of interesting presentations at the National Conference on Student Assessment in June. Here’s a rundown of what we’re doing.
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Strengthening Ties Between Accountability and School Improvement
Do school accountability systems support effective school improvement practices? If not, where is the system breaking down and how can we fix it?
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Reimagining Balanced Assessment Systems
An important new book from the National Academy of Education can support state and district leaders in building balanced assessment systems.
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What We’re Up To: Center Presentations at NCME and AERA
Our associates are giving many fascinating presentations at the assessment field’s two big spring conferences, NCME and AERA. Here’s a quick rundown.
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A New Framework for Universal Design of Assessment Systems
Existing frameworks for universal design aren’t quite right for educational assessment, so we teamed up and designed a new one.
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Innovative Assessments: A Plea for Clarity and Humility
Before launching a project to build an “innovative” assessment for education, it’s wise to define what you want to move toward—and away from.
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What Can Professional Football Teach Us About the Responsible Use of Tests?
The NFL’s use—and misuse—of test scores in the draft highlights a few important lessons we should apply to educational assessments.
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