Agenda
What It Takes to Implement Balanced Assessment Systems
Thursday, September 18
| Time | Session | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8:15 am | Breakfast & checkin | Breakfast is provided |
| 9:00 | Welcome, Context & Essentials | Chris Domaleski, Carla Evans and Caroline Wylie provide introductory remarks about the background and purpose of RILS. |
| 9:15 | Session 1: Voices from the Field | Panel discussion with key constituents to discuss experiences with assessment systems that are more or less in balance and how they think about assessment purposes and uses, and what challenges they face. Panelists: Christine Landwehrle, Colleen Olson, Tina Bento, Chester School District (SAU 82), NH Christine DonFrancesco, National Education Association (NEA) Moderators: Carla Evans and Caroline Wylie |
| 10:15 | Session 2A: Setting the Context | Scott Marion will provide a framing presentation to introduce key ideas about balanced assessment systems, current challenges, and the unique roles of state and district leaders. |
| 10:45 | Break | |
| 11:00 | Session 2B: Framework Presentation | Carla Evans and Caroline Wylie explain the purpose of the Practical Guidance, the common threats to imbalance categories, and the role of the threats as cross-cutting themes in conference presentations. |
| 11:30 | Session 3: Table Talk | Table Talk: What connections do people notice between the initial panel discussion and Scott’s presentation? What threats seem most relevant in your context and why? What are barriers and facilitators to this work in their context? |
| 12:00 pm | Lunch | Lunch provided |
| 1:00 | Session 4A: District Stories | Two districts will provide brief descriptions of work they have made to move assessment systems toward greater balance. Panelists: Sanee Bell, Katy ISD, TX Sasha Klyachkina, Chicago Public Schools, IL Moderators: Laura Pinsonneault and Erika Landl |
| 2:00 | Session 4B: Four Corners Activity | Attendees participate in a Four Corners Activity to discuss one key question of most interest to them. Q1: How can external agencies (SEAs, intermediary agencies, vendors) support this work in districts? Q2: What do you think motivates districts to join in this work? What is their starting point/entry point? Q3: What advice would you have for districts to ensure their assessment system is balanced for all students, including special populations? Q4: How do you think this work might differ in smaller versus larger districts? Four-corners Activity Leads: Damian Betebenner/Laura Hamilton Chris Brandt/Juan D’Brot Will Lorié/Nathan Dadey Andre Rupp/Cara Laitusis |
| 2:30 | Break | |
| 2:45 | Session 5A: State-Intermediary-District story | An SEA-CESA-LEA partnership will be discussed in terms of the roles they each played to move assessment systems towards greater balance. Panelists: Lauren Zellmer, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction Kim Pencil, Cooperative Educational Service Agency (CESA 7), WI Nick Joseph, De Pere School District, WI Moderators: Andre Rupp and Chris Brandt |
| 3:45 | Session 5B: Panel Reactions | Invited panelists representing urban schools, teachers, districts and students with disabilities will reflect on both sets of district and district/state stories presented. Panelists: Steven Snead, Oakland Schools, MI Miranda McLaren, Gwinnett County Public Schools, GA Meagan Karvonen, Kansas University Office of Research Moderators: Cara Laitusis and Nathan Dadey |
| 4:30 | Wrap-Up/Adjourn Day 1 | |
| 5:00 – 6:15 | Reception | Evening reception and cocktail hour with light snacks. |
| 6:30 – 8:00 | Dinner | Center staff-hosted optional small group dinners at one of the selected restaurants in Portsmouth |
Friday, September 19
| Time | Session | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8:15 am | Breakfast | Breakfast provided |
| 9:00 | Welcome Day 2 | Carla Evans and Caroline Wylie welcome participants to day 2. Review of lingering questions from previous end-of-day. |
| 9:15 | Session 6A: State Stories | Three SEA or state-wide organization leaders provide brief descriptions of work they have made to support districts/schools and educators in moving assessment systems toward greater balance. Panelists: Dan Farley, Oregon Department of Education Dorcas Kong, California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) Kathy Dewsbury-White, Michigan Assessment Consortium Moderators: Juan D’Brot and Will Lorié |
| 10:30 | Break | |
| 10:45 | Session 6B: Discussion | Carla Evans and Caroline Wylie facilitate an activity for table groups to discuss questions to solicit feedback on the Practical Guidance and record their feedback in a note-taker. |
| 11:45 | Session 7: Where Do We Go From Here? | Individual Reflection & Table Talk: What are possible next steps that elaborate on ideas identified by participants at the school, district, and state levels? |
| 12:00 | Taking Stock and Looking Ahead | Chris Domaleski will wrap up the conference with a short reflection and summary of the conference themes along with wrap-up. |
| 12:15 | Conference Ends | Lunch provided |
