Creating Balanced Assessments
Action Steps for Superintendents and District Leadership Teams
- Form a leadership task force to investigate new, technology-based assessments that measure core subject mastery and proficiency in 21st century skills.
- Consider a pilot project with a partner in higher education to create technology-based formative assessments.
- Support teachers and administrators in making better use of assessment information to improve instruction and individualize learning for every student.
- Implement an alternative assessment program in your schools.
- Start a professional learning community with your teachers on formative assessments with experts in the field.
- Use technology to create K–12 student portfolios that students can take with them when they graduate.
Getting Up to Speed
Assessment: A 21st Century Skills Implementation Guide. Partnership for 21st Century Skills, 2009.
Assessment & Teaching of 21st Century Skills, a project of Cisco, Intel and Microsoft
CoSN’s Data-Driven Decision Making Initiative
Darling-Hammond, L. Performance Counts: Assessment Systems that Support High-Quality Learning. Council of Chief State School Officers, 2010.
Rothman, R. Principles for a Comprehensive Assessment System. Alliance for Excellent Education Policy Brief, 2010.
Stiggins, R., and DuFour, R. (2009). Maximizing the Power of Formative Assessments. Phi Delta Kappan.
Stiggins, R., and Chappuis, J. (2008). “Enhancing Student Learning: Create Profound Achievement Gains Through Formative Assessments.” District Administration.
Going Deeper
Educational Leadership, Multiple Measures issue, November 2009
Hersh, Richard D. “What Does College Teach?” The Atlantic Monthly, November 2005.
Pinkus, L. M. (Ed.) Meaningful Measurement: The Role of Assessments in Improving High School Education in the Twenty-First Century. Alliance for Excellent Education, 2009.