Category: Assessment

Assessment That Aligns with SEL Skills and Goals

Star Sackstein’s Assessing with Respect is about focusing on meeting students’ SEL needs and how that allows us to work with them on greater academic achievements. She effectively discusses the theory of CASEL competencies and their implementation, writes NBCT Megan Balduf.

A Guide to Expanding Virtual Teaching Skills

Building on the surge in virtual and blended teaching during the pandemic, the authors show how teachers across content areas can further develop their virtual and digital skills. Their well-organized book sustains an accessible, mentoring tone throughout, writes Theresa Wood.

Giving Students a Say in Assessing Progress

In Giving Students a Say principal Myron Dueck details key research-based reasons why students should have a say in assessing their progress. Dueck’s helpful tools and strategies can be used to effectively create student-centered assessments, writes reviewer Jennifer Wirtz.

A Tool-Rich Guide to Formative Assessment

This guide is a great tool for any educator, school district, or higher education institution, writes Dr. Charice Hayes. The book involves the reader in defining effective ongoing assessment and includes tools to observe how other colleagues use formative assessment.

A Guide to Grading for Student Growth

Jonathan Cornue does an excellent job presenting standards-based grading’s nuances, critical players, and the steps to transition from a traditional 100-point grading system. Teacher Julie Bernardi says the 30-step process, including checkpoints, can be a valuable guide.

Effective Assessment for Improved Learning

Glen Pearsall’s Fast and Effective Assessment focuses on making life easier for teachers while improving students’ learning and understanding, writes consultant Anne Anderson. Pearsall includes lots of ideas and efficient tools to create feedback that benefits students.

Fair Isn’t Always Equal: A Must-Read 2nd Edition

In the 2nd edition of Fair Isn’t Always Equal Rick Wormeli employs patience and innovation along with multiple examples across disciplines and grade levels to explain how assessment works in differentiated classrooms, writes teacher Jennifer Randall. Essential reading!

A Deeper Look at Assessing Kids’ Writing

A Closer Look: Learning More About Our Writers with Formative Assessment (K-6) provides insight into an area often glossed over during writing instruction. Teacher turned teacher educator Benjamin Boche reports novices and veterans can deepen their workshop practice.

How to Use Grading to Improve Learning

No matter where you are in your journey to understand grading, this book can help, says middle school teacher Emily Prissel. Susan Brookhart does a nice job of presenting important ideas succinctly and clearly, while giving practical advice and ready-to-use strategies.

25 Quick and Effective Formative Assessments

What really stands out in the second edition of 25 Quick Formative Assessments for a Differentiated Classroom is the attention authors Dodge and Duarte pay to meshing tried and true formative assessments with engaging digital formats, says teacher-librarian Rita Platt.