Making Assessment Work for Everyone: How to Build on Student Strengths

This publication provides teachers with research information and practical ideas for modifying assessments to make them more effective. Throughout the document, examples demonstrate how to make the process equitable and beneficial for students and teachers alike.

 

In a perfect world, we would know each individual learner's strengths and needs and be able to tailor all learning experiences and assessments to fit their unique circumstances. In reality, we must help all students meet common standards for excellence while recognizing that their paths to success may vary significantly, especially for those students whose language or culture is different from our own. The challenge throughout this document is to think about how to maintain high standards and expectations for all learners while building on the uniqueness each learner brings to the classroom environment.

 

Making Assessment work for Everyoneis intended to help educators:

• Understand the essential characteristics of good assessment
• Uncover the strengths and cultural perspectives of diverse learners
• Create or select classroom assessments that meet high standards as well as support and reveal the learning of every child
• Increase the awareness of potential sources of bias or inequity in assessments
• Use strategies to improve inequitable assessments