Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning)

In Don't @ Me (3:17), Tom questions whether or not society's assertion of "majority rule" is something we all really believe in. Then, Tom is joined by author Zaretta Hammond (14:04) to discuss her 2015 release, "Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain." Finally, in "Assess THAT with Tom & Nat" (1:03:29), Tom and special guest Natalie Vardabasso talk about what aspects of assessment and grading are non-negotiable, and which aspects allow for some philosophical choices.

• Zaretta on Twitter: @Ready4rigor

NEW BOOK BY TOM:

• "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

• Annual Conference on Assessment & Grading 

• Austin, TX (July 18-20, 2022)

• Register Here

• Grading from the Inside Out (2-Day Workshop) 

• Long Beach, CA (September 21-22, 2022)

• Register Here

• Teach Better Conference (CODE: Schimmer22)

• Akron, OH (October 14-15, 2022)

• Register Here

• Student Agency Institute 

• Laval, QC (October 24-26, 2022)

• Register Here

CONNECT WITH NATALIE VARDABASSO

• Nat on Twitter: @natabasso

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

• Email: [email protected]

In Don't @ Me (3:17), Tom, through highlighting a truly awful travel experience last week, explores how life tests us and how we have to maintain perspective, regardless of how frustrated we might be. Then, Tom is joined by author and "Neuroscience Meets SEL" podcast host Andrea Samadi (27:14) to discuss how SEL competencies positively impact the brain and the physiological development in children and youth. Finally, in "Assess THAT with Tom & Nat" (1:01:47), Tom and special guest Natalie Vardabasso talk about where to begin if you're leading a reform effort in assessment & grading.

• Andrea on Twitter: @andreasamadi

NEW BOOK BY TOM:

• "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

• Annual Conference on Assessment & Grading 

• Austin, TX (July 18-20, 2022)

• Register Here

• Grading from the Inside Out (2-Day Workshop) 

• Long Beach, CA (September 21-22, 2022)

• Register Here

• Teach Better Conference (CODE: Schimmer22)

• Akron, OH (October 14-15, 2022)

• Register Here

• Student Agency Institute 

• Laval, QC (October 24-26, 2022)

• Register Here

CONNECT WITH NATALIE VARDABASSO

• Nat on Twitter: @natabasso

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

• Email: [email protected]

In Don't @ Me (2:30), Tom explores the issue of negative self-talk and wonders why, if we wouldn’t say negative things to others, we keep saying negative things to ourselves. Then, Tom is joined by educator and author Rick Jetter (14:13) to discuss why students remember their teachers, sometimes forever. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:03:10), Tom and a special guest co-host talk about what we might underestimate and overestimate in terms of leading change in assessment & grading.

• Rick on Twitter: @RickJetter

NEW BOOK BY TOM:

• "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

• Annual Conference on Assessment & Grading 
  • Austin, TX (July 18-20, 2022)
    • Register Here

• Teach Better Conference (CODE: Schimmer22)
  • Akron, OH (October 14-15, 2022)
    • Register Here

• Student Agency Institute 
  • Laval, QC (October 24-26, 2022)
    • Register Here

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

• Email: [email protected]

In Don't @ Me (3:13), Tom discusses his concern over a new tactic that could become more divisive than helpful when debating societal issues. Then, Tom is joined by future author and educator Robert Cobbs (13:25) to discuss how he ended up in Puerto Rico and why he founded the non-profit Tech My School. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:03:10), Tom answers a listener question that has both a literacy and assessment side to it.

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• Robert on Twitter: @cobbsclass

NEW BOOK BY TOM:

• "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

• Annual Conference on Assessment & Grading 

• Austin, TX (July 18-20, 2022)

• Register Here

• Teach Better Conference 

• Akron, OH (October 14-15, 2022)

• Register Here

• Student Agency Institute 

• Laval, QC (October 24-26, 2022)

• Register Here

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

• Email: [email protected]

In Don't @ Me (4:00), Tom discusses the new social media app BeReal which he says has a chance to create a more authentic online experience. Then, Tom is joined by author and speaker Mike Mattos (11:33) to discuss the RTI at Work framework. Finally, in Assessment Corner (58:40), Tom outlines 3 strikes in grading reform that he wants every school to avoid.

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• Mike on Twitter: @mikemattos65

NEW BOOK BY TOM:

• "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

• Annual Conference on Assessment & Grading 

• Austin, TX (July 18-20, 2022)

• Register Here

• Teach Better Conference 

• Akron, OH (October 14-15, 2022)

• Register Here

• Student Agency Institute 

• Laval, QC (October 24-26, 2022)

• Register Here

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

• Email: [email protected]

In Don't @ Me (2:45), Tom highlights another sure-fired "happiness killer." Then, Tom is joined by author Mirko Chardin (12:19) to discuss his latest book, "Equity by Design: Delivering on the Power and Promise of UDL." Finally, in Assessment Corner (47:54), Tom talks briefly about the difference between leveled questions and leveled responses and why each can have a place in our assessment systems, but each needs to be kept in its place

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• Miko on Twitter: @MirkoMilk

NEW BOOK BY TOM:

• "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

• Annual Conference on Assessment & Grading 

• Austin, TX (July 18-20, 2022)

• https://tinyurl.com/2p8wk635

• Student Agency Institute 

• Laval, QC (October 24-26, 2022)

• https://tinyurl.com/yakm8df2

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

• Email: [email protected]

In Don't @ Me (2:25), Tom takes aim at any adult associated with AP courses, including parents, by highlighting why adult ego is driving students to overload their academic schedules with AP courses thereby creating an unsustainable and unhealthy school experience. Then, Tom is joined by author and friend Morgane Michael (15:50) to discuss her latest book, "From Burnt Out to fired Up: Reigniting your Passion for Teaching!" Finally, in Assessment Corner (57:16), Tom talks about why scaling or rating learning targets is instructionally unnecessary and can actually serve as a distraction to what matters most.

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• Morgane on Twitter: @MorganeMichael

NEW BOOK BY TOM:

• "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

• Grading from the Inside Out Workshop
  

• San Antonio, TX (Apr. 25-26)

• https://tinyurl.com/4svcwkz6

• Standards-Based Learning in Action Workshop 

• San Antonio, TX (Apr. 27-28)

• https://tinyurl.com/yvxmvphe

• Annual Conference on Assessment & Grading 

• Austin, TX (July 18-20)

• https://tinyurl.com/2p8wk635

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

• Email: [email protected]

In Don't @ Me (2:34), Tom opens by sharing why "must be nice" is the most condescending phrase anyone can use. Then, Tom is joined by author and colleague Tony Reibel (11:11) to discuss his latest book, "Small Changes, Big Impact: 10 Strategies to Promote Student Efficacy and Lifelong Learning." Finally, in Assessment Corner (45:19), Tom talks about the single most underutilized formative assessment strategy and that is to get students talking about their learning.

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• Tony on Twitter: @areibel

NEW BOOK BY TOM:

• "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"

UPCOMING PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

• Grading from the Inside Out Workshop
  

• Virtual (Apr. 5 & 12)

• https://tinyurl.com/mpz947rm

• https://tinyurl.com/4svcwkz6

• Standards-Based Learning in Action Workshop 

• San Antonio, TX (Apr. 27-28)

• https://tinyurl.com/yvxmvphe

• Annual Conference on Assessment & Grading 

• Austin, TX (July 18-20)

• https://tinyurl.com/2p8wk635

CONNECT WITH TOM SCHIMMER

• Email: [email protected]

In Don't @ Me (2:10), Tom opens by wondering whether "follow your passion" is sound advice for our students. Then, Tom is joined by teacher and podcast host Chey Cheney (10:23) to discuss an array of educational topics. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:00:47), Tom talks about a very important concept in leading a transformation of your assessment and grading practices and, at the same time, tells you about a new book that he has coming out.

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• Chey on Twitter: @mrccheney

• "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading"

• Grading from the Inside Out Workshop
  

• Virtual (Apr. 5 & 12)

• https://tinyurl.com/mpz947rm

• https://tinyurl.com/4svcwkz6

• Standards-Based Learning in Action Workshop 

• San Antonio, TX (Apr. 27-28)

• https://tinyurl.com/yvxmvphe

• Annual Conference on Assessment & Grading 

• Austin, TX (July 18-20)

• https://tinyurl.com/2p8wk635

• Email: [email protected]

In Don't @ Me (2:00), Tom opens with an assertion that on the net, virtue signalling is good. Then, Tom is joined by author, speaker, and leader Jimmy Casas (12:12) to discuss his book "Culturize" and to put the principles into practice.  Finally, in Assessment Corner (51:24), Tom answers the question of how many questions should teachers use on a summative assessment.

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• Jimmy on Twitter: @casas_jimmy

• Grading from the Inside Out Workshop
  

• Virtual (Apr. 5 & 12)

• https://tinyurl.com/mpz947rm

• https://tinyurl.com/4svcwkz6

• Standards-Based Learning in Action Workshop 

• San Antonio, TX (Apr. 27-28)

• https://tinyurl.com/yvxmvphe

• Annual Conference on Assessment & Grading 

• Austin, TX (July 18-20)

• https://tinyurl.com/2p8wk635

"Virtue Signalling" May Annoy Us. But Civilization would be Impossible Without It

• https://tinyurl.com/jkw9du62

Geoffrey Miller is a Psychology Professor at the University of New Mexico

• Email: [email protected]