Assessing Deeper Learning

Posted by on August 14, 2011

Taking assessments deeper

A new policy brief from the Alliance for Excellent Education calls for assessments that measure a broader range of knowledge and skills than current assessments typically measure. These newer assessments would indicate whether students understand challenging content and are able to think critically, solve problems, communicate understanding, and work with peers. According to the brief, state accountability tests exert a strong influence on classroom practice, and can make expectations for student learning concrete, signaling to teachers what kinds of student performance will meet standards. The brief notes that technology can help a shift to assessments that measure deeper learning: Online simulations and other techniques can enable students to think critically and solve problems. Such assessments would also give results almost instantaneously, making them more useful to teachers. The brief recommends that federal policy support the development and implementation of these newer assessments by requiring that assessments measure deeper learning competencies; by supporting professional development for teachers; by ensuring that assessments fairly measure performance of students with disabilities and English learners; and by continuing to support states for the ongoing operational costs of state assessments.

See the brief: http://www.all4ed.org/files/AssessingDeeperLearning.pdf