Action Overview: Develop a process for creating standards-based assessments

This set of resources is designed to assist leadership teams in analyzing their current assessment practices and needs, developing a plan for creating or revising assessments, and planning for the implementation of any changes in assessments.

There are many forms of assessment that are woven into instruction and curriculum. Some include

Assessment	What it is	What it is not
Statewide assessments	· MCAS - measure mastery of grade level standards and benchmarks	Measure for growth of individual students or cohorts
Commercial assessments across a school or district	· NWEA MAP Test · STAR Assessment Suite · FastBridge · CogATScreener or Full Battery Assessment · NNAT	Measure of standards mastery
Formative	· Quizzes and unit tests · Daily work	Placement test
Diagnostic assessments	· DIBELS · CogAT Full Battery Assessment	Measure of academic ability Universal Screener
Common Assessments	· Assessments written by content areas for use in courses - sampling of benchmarks	Comprehensive measure of all standards
Performance Assessments	· Portfolio of student work · Project assessment · Shows effort and accomplishment	Comprehensive measure of all standards

There are many resources and tools available about each of these assessment forms. Many of those resources address particular content areas. This action uses a lens of supporting instructional practices and focuses on the assessments that are given across a school or district.

What are important considerations in developing assessments?

When planning to support ongoing assessment development, teams should keep the following aspects in mind:

· How well do the assessments measure mastery of the standards and benchmarks, including both knowledge and skills?

· Do the assessments provide information about the progress that students are making in the learning progression toward mastery of the standards and benchmarks?

· How do the assessment practices and tools support implementation of effective instructional practices?

· Does the assessment address equity and access for all students?

· Has the assessment development process had the involvement of important stakeholders including affected educators, parents and community members?

Suggested Activities

How do educators use Portal resources to plan for assessment development?

· Activity 1: Develop a plan for study of current assessment strategies and evaluate the needs for changes

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Action Overview: Develop a process for creating standards-based assessments

What are important considerations in developing assessments?

Suggested Activities

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