Balanced Assessment – A Renewed Focus

Balanced Assessment – A Renewed Focus “Learn the fundamentals of the game and stick to them. Band-aid remedies never last.” -Jack Nicklaus

Who We Are… • KDE’s Office of Leadership and School Improvement • Division of Educator Quality and Diversity • David Bolen • david.bolen@education.ky.gov • Donna Brockman • donna.brockman@education.ky.gov • Jodie Zeller • jodie.zeller@education.ky.gov

Partnership for Educator Quality and Effectiveness • 43 Districts across Kentucky had zero connection to KDE • We are primarily charged with supporting these districts and their schools, along with other KDE initiatives (SB1, RTTT, etc.) • Creating a balanced assessment system and effective use of formative assessment is a large part of both SB1 and RTTT

Assessment For Learning • This summer, several 2-day Assessment For Learning trainings were held • Train the trainer model • More than 800 participants • Teachers, administrators, district leaders, support agencies, KDE, and post-secondary representatives from all across the state • Consistent implementation across the Commonwealth

Strong Results • Believe schools and teachers can make a difference • Improve what teachers DO, not what they know • Invest in current teachers through high-quality professional development • Focus on change • Holding teachers accountable for change • Supporting teachers through the process of changing

Change is Good • “You are much more likely to act your way into a new way of thinking than think your way into a new way of acting.” -Michael Fullan

Table Talk… How can I help stop change?

Table Talk… What can I do to contribute to an environment of change?

Let’s Take a Break!

Five Keys to Assessment for Learning • Clear Purpose • Clear Targets • Sound Design • Effective Communication • Student Involvement

Three Key Questions… • Where am I going? • Where am I now? • How can I close the gap?

…Lead to Seven Strategies • Where am I going? • Create a clear and understandable vision of the learning target • Examples and models of strong and weak work

…Lead to Seven Strategies • Where am I now? • Provide regular, descriptive feedback • Teach students to self-assess and set goals

…Lead to Seven Strategies • How can I close the gap? • Design lessons to focus on one aspect of quality at a time • Teach students focused revision • Engage students in self-reflection and let them keep track of and share their learning

Balanced Assessment – A Renewed Focus