How do we know if our children are digesting what we're teaching? We give them assessments! And if you've ever stepped into a traditional classroom in the U.S., this could mean many things. Often it means large, summative assessments at the end of a unit or school year to determine what the students have retained.

Sadly, this type of assessment is ineffective, for more reasons than I can begin to explain. But I sure try in this episode!

There are many ways to assess student learning, aside from the traditional test. And traditional summative assessments only test a student's ability to memorize information for the short term. What happens when they need to remember information long-term and apply it in different scenarios?

I'm sharing my thoughts and more. Listen in!

Be sure to join me at the Beyond Multiple Choice virtual seminar. Find out more and sign up for free!

Jump in the Conversation:

• [1:26] - Beyond Multiple Choice Conference
• [1:41] - Where to begin with assessment
• [2:18] - The open-ended essential question
• [3:11] - Inquiry-based learning isn't enough
• [3:39] - The questions teachers need to ask
• [4:13] - Model U.S. structure and how bills become laws
• [5:20] - Getting students to own their learning and apply them in real life
• [5:58] - Engaging and relevancy is non-negotiable
• [6:52] - Determine what you'll assess and how
• [8:01] - The big problems with summative assessments
• [8:51] - Summative assessments aren't the only way to assess learning
• [10:26] - Quality rubrics are created in partnership with students
• [11:00] - The existential question: What is important?
• [12:26] - Who takes responsibility to empower students to reach goals
• [12:50] - Maureen's magic wand
• [14:25] - Students can see when teachers are invested in learning

Links & Resources

• Episode 73: Breaking Barriers for Our Students and Our Future
• Episode 39: Creating Human-Centered Learning
• https://summit.edactivecollective.org/schedule
• Email Maureen

• Maureen's TEDx: Changing My Mind to Change Our Schools

• The Education Evolution
• Facebook: Follow Education Evolution
• Twitter: Follow Education Evolution
• LinkedIn: Follow Education Evolution
• EdActive Collective
• Maureen's book: Creating Micro-Schools for Colorful Mismatched Kids

• Micro-school feature on Good Morning America
• The Micro-School Coalition
• Facebook: The Micro-School Coalition
• LEADPrep