Measuring Durable Competencies: Right-Sizing Expectations
Pressure to measure durable competencies is surging. But it’s challenging: there are limitations to what the data actually tell us.
Read MoreCategory: Assessment
Supporting Systemic Changes in High School Math
Making deep changes in high school math assessment requires sustained support. These two new guides for state and district leaders can help.
Read More
What We’re Up To: Center Presentations at NCME & AERA
Check out our lineup of fascinating presentations at two of the assessment field’s big conferences, NCME and AERA.
Read More
Civic Learning Matters. Assessment Systems Should Measure It
Schools should prepare graduates for economic opportunity and democratic participation, but our assessment systems don’t gauge how well they’re doing.
Read More
Measuring Durable Skills: Why States Need More Than a Test
A large-scale test isn’t enough to measure durable skills. A broader view of assessment opens up a nuanced, more promising landscape.
Read More
Assessing Civic Learning
The editors of a new book discuss how assessment can support civics learning and students’ engagement in civics.
Read More
Reimagining Math Education: Teacher Experiences of Math Badging in High School
What happens when high schools adopt math badging? Our multi-state study examines benefits, challenges and lessons in reimagining math education.
Read More
Using School and Classroom Climate Surveys to Improve Learning Environments (Part 2)
Several key questions arise when school leaders decide to use a climate survey to learn about students’ experiences. We explore them and offer guidance.
Read More
Using School and Classroom Climate Surveys to Improve Learning Environments (Part 1)
Education leaders seeking insight into students’ learning experiences have a powerful, low-cost tool at their disposal: school climate surveys.
Read More
Reflecting on 2025 and Looking Ahead to 2026
2025 brought many challenges to K-12 education. The Center for Assessment moves into 2026 with a clear-eyed vision in changing times.
Read More
Teacher Engagement With Embedded Classroom Assessments
We studied how Chicago teachers use the district’s curriculum-embedded assessments, patterns that point to the kinds of support they need.
Read More
Leveraging All State Education Data at a Crucial Time
More than ever, states need to be able to leverage their data to maximize insight into student performance. Our framework paper can help.
Read More
Interim Assessments: Useful Enough?
Are interim assessments instructionally useful enough to warrant districts’ time and money? Our study found a nuanced answer to that question.
Read More
Fair and Justice-Oriented Assessment
Caroline Wylie and Margaret Heritage discuss their new book, which explores teaching and learning practices that can address opportunity gaps.
Read More
Safeguarding State Assessment
States should consider key safeguards to maintain strong assessment systems, in case the U.S. Department of Education can no longer enforce ESSA.
Read More
To Adapt or Not to Adapt? That Is the Question
Deciding whether to use adaptive or fixed-form assessments depends not on what technology can do, but on what you want the system to achieve.
Read More
Assessment Culture and Assessment Systems
Assessment culture can shape how schools approach student assessment. Improving both culture and systems can strengthen student outcomes.
Read More
Don’t Start With Assessment: Navigating State Involvement in 21st Century Competencies
Before states jump into assessing 21st century competencies, they need to step back to consider some key tradeoffs and questions.
Read More