Empowering Educators to Make the Best Decisions
Accurate information is the starting point for exceptional results. Our assessment courses teach educators how to administer a wide variety of assessments, including classroom-based formative assessments.
Our current assessment courses include:
Formative Assessment, K–12
Effective instruction begins with assessment. By learning what a student knows and can do, teachers are better able to plan appropriate instruction and save valuable instructional time. Grade-level appropriate formative assessment tools are explored as participants engage in cooperative analysis of assessment data. Student strengths and instructional needs are identified through this process and used to inform instructional planning. Once student learning targets are set, additional assessments are identified to monitor student growth. This continuous assessment feedback loop ensures instruction is effective and students make ongoing progress.
Length:
One day
Objectives:
- Distinguish between formative and summative assessments
- Analyze assessment data to reveal student strengths and learning needs
- Use assessment to inform instructional planning
- Choose ongoing assessments to monitor student progress
- Use assessment data to adapt teaching based on student response
College Credit Pending
Literacy Assessment, K–5
The Literacy Assessment course investigates purposes for assessment and the specific assessment tools and procedures supported by research. During the course teachers practice using assessment tools, analyze the assessments to identify learning needs, and plan appropriate instruction to target state standards as well as individual needs. Participants have an opportunity to apply new learning and practice with support to ensure confident transfer to the classroom. In addition to the group content session and demonstrations provided by a professional development trainer, additional seminar materials support teachers’ ongoing growth with partner learning extensions and review activities that can be incorporated into professional learning communities. This seminar is also a great support to schools implementing Rigby’s Literacy by Design or other comprehensive literacy resources.
Length:
One day
Objectives:
- Understand different assessments used for different purposes
- Utilize various formative and summative assessments in their classroom
- Analyze data to inform instruction
- Create a reading profile for each student for ongoing progress monitoring
- Manage data and record keeping
- Conduct a case study on one student to try new assessments and monitor progress
College Credit Pending
Assessing 21st Century Skills, K–12
In order to meet the innovative thinking of the 21st century learner, assessment must move beyond standardized testing as the sole measure of student learning. This course will introduce the participants to a variety of ways to measure 21st century skills as they are applied in the core content areas.
Length:
One day
Objectives:
- Define 21st century skills
- Explore an instructional framework that builds student competencies
- Develop ways to measure 21st century skills
- Investigate Project-based Assessment
- Examine Performance and Knowledge based questions
- Explore the alignment of assessment to Common Core Standards and ISTE NETS
College Credit Pending