"Assessment Systems that Support High-Quality Learning"

Assessment Systems that Support High-Quality Learning

Article by Linda Darling-Hammond.
Find it here: http://www.ccsso.org/publications/details.cfm?PublicationID=381

The Council of Chief State School Officers asked Darling-Hammond to describe what a student assessment system could look like... it seems like the new common core standards are just assumed to be part of it.

Highlights:
Think of assessments as a system with a variety of purposes -- infroming learning and instruction, determining progress, measuring achievement, providing accountability information.

In this idea system, teachers "are skilled at developing and using a rnage of assessments based on standards, learners' needs, and their professional judgment. Scoring student work based on shared learning targets is common classroom practice for teachers. Teachers are well educated and supported in these new expectations.

goal for students: "how knowledge is to be used to solve problems and develop cognitive skills: the abilities to find and organize information to solve problems, frame and conduct investigations, analyze and synthesize data, self-monitor and improve one's own performance, communicate well in multiple forms, work in teams, and learn independently."

things that can't be readily assessed through paper-and-pencil testing: making oral presentations, develop a portfolio of work, undertaking fieldwork, carrying out an investigation, doing practical laboratory work or completing a design project,...

check out "leading-edge assessment systems" in CT, KY, ME, MY, VT

A VISION BUILD ON EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND SUCCESSFUL PRACTICES

1) process is guided by common standards.... curriculum guidance is lean but clear and focused on what students should know and be able to do as a result of their learning experiences.

2) include a balance of assessments ... emphasize deep knowleedge of core concepts within and across the disciplines, problem solving, collaboration, analysis, synthesis, and critical thinking... give student opportunities to develop and demonstrate higher order thinking skills such as the abilities to find and organize information to solve problems, frame and conduct investigations, analyze and synthesize data, and apply learning to new situations.

3) teachers are involved w/ curriculum development

4) Assessment measures are structure to continuously improve teaching and learning... close examination of student work, learning progressions, curriculumembedde assessments give models to teachers,students should be engaged in own progress of learning

5) designed to improve quality of learning and schooling... report publicly the data

6) assessment and accountability systems use multiple measures to evaluate students and schools... (other indicators often include student participation in challenging curricula, progress through school, graduation rates, college attendance, citizenship, a safe and caring climate, and school success and improvement

7) new technology enable greater assessment quality and information systems that support accountability

HOW A HIGH-QUALITY ASSESSMENT SYSTEM MIGHT OPERATE
develop curriculum frameworks, create a digital curriculum and assessment library, develop state and local assessment measures (see New England Common Assessment Program, New Standards Project (1990s implemented in Maine, KY, VT). "curriculum-embedded performance components" "tests and tasks" for use in classrooms (see England's "tests and tasks") (these should be standardized and scored in moderated fashion). evaluate student growth over time... see the "Developmental Reading Assessment", learn about electronic portfolios, develop moderation and auditing systems ofr teacher-scored work, provide time and training for teachers and school leaders.