In Don't @ Me (1:45), Tom talks about why it's important to find our back-to-school balance. Tom is then joined by Dr. Tom Guskey for The Interview (11:45) to discuss the legacy of Benjamin Bloom and the necessary assessment and grading mindsets for a fair and successful 2020-21 school year. In the News (53:51) includes a story about COVID testing in Utah and the recent story from the province of Alberta and their desire to develop a new guiding vision for K-12 education. Assessment Corner (1:00:36) includes a question about using large-scale assessments to improve student learning and another about feedback. Finally, in Tweets of the Week (1:16:14), Tom has two follow suggestions that you won't want to miss.  
 
Tom Guskey on Twitter: @tguskey
Tom Guskey's website: www.tguskey.com
 
Follow Teach For the Culture on Instagram: @teachfortheculture
Follow Holiday Phillips on Twitter and Instagram  
Email the Podcast: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com 
Podcast Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod
Tom on Twitter: @TomSchimmer 
Instagram: Schimmer Education 
Facebook: Schimmer Education

In Don't @ Me (1:45), Tom talks about why it's important to find our back-to-school balance. Tom is then joined by Dr. Tom Guskey for The Interview (11:45) to discuss the legacy of Benjamin Bloom and the necessary assessment and grading mindsets for a fair and successful 2020-21 school year. In the News (53:51) includes a story about COVID testing in Utah and the recent story from the province of Alberta and their desire to develop a new guiding vision for K-12 education. Assessment Corner (1:00:36) includes a question about using large-scale assessments to improve student learning and another about feedback. Finally, in Tweets of the Week (1:16:14), Tom has two follow suggestions that you won't want to miss. Tom Guskey on Twitter: @tguskey Tom Guskey's website: www.tguskey.com Follow Teach For the Culture on Instagram: @teachfortheculture Follow Holiday Phillips on Twitter and Instagram Email the Podcast: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com Podcast Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod Tom on Twitter: @TomSchimmer Instagram: Schimmer Education Facebook: Schimmer Education

In Don't @ Me (1:45), Tom talks about why it's important to find our back-to-school balance. Tom is then joined by Dr. Tom Guskey for The Interview (11:45)&nbsp;to discuss the legacy of Benjamin Bloom and the necessary assessment and grading mindsets for a fair and successful 2020-21 school year.&nbsp;In the News&nbsp;(53:51) includes a story about COVID testing in Utah and the recent story from the province of Alberta and their desire to develop a new guiding vision for K-12 education. Assessment Corner&nbsp;(1:00:36) includes a question about using large-scale assessments to improve student learning and another about feedback. Finally, in Tweets of the Week&nbsp;(1:16:14), Tom has two&nbsp;follow suggestions that you won't want to miss. &nbsp;
&nbsp;
Tom Guskey on Twitter: @tguskey
Tom Guskey's website: www.tguskey.com
&nbsp;
Follow Teach For the Culture on Instagram: @teachfortheculture
Follow Holiday Phillips on Twitter and Instagram &nbsp;
Email the Podcast: tomschimmerpod@gmail.com 
Podcast Twitter: @TomSchimmerPod
Tom on Twitter: @TomSchimmer&nbsp;
Instagram: Schimmer Education&nbsp;
Facebook: Schimmer Education

Back to School Balance | Tom Guskey | Large-Scale Assessment

Assess THAT with Tom &amp; Nat is a bi-weekly podcast where co-hosts Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso unpack what it really means to deepen assessment literacy in schools. Known for their dynamic, insightful, and sometimes provocative conversations, Tom and Nat create a space where educators can rethink grading, feedback, and accountability in ways that put student learning first. Each episode blends practical strategies with big-picture thinking, helping teachers and leaders translate research into action without losing sight of the human side of education.
Listeners can expect honest discussions, fresh perspectives, and plenty of take-home ideas. From reimagining final exams to exploring the role of assessment in equity and Universal Design for Learning, Assess THAT is for any educator ready to challenge the status quo and embrace assessment as a tool for growth—not just measurement.

About the Hosts Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso are internationally recognized speakers, authors, and consultants who have spent their careers helping schools modernize assessment and grading practices. Together, they are the co-founders of the Canadian Assessment Centre (CAC), a national professional learning hub created by Canadians, for Canadians to bring clarity, credibility, and care to assessment in classrooms across the country.
<ul>
<li>
Tom Schimmer is the author and co-author of multiple best-selling books, including Grading from the Inside Out and Standards-Based Learning in Action. With 35 years of experience as a teacher, leader, and consultant, Tom is known for his ability to translate big ideas into practical tools educators can use right away.
</li>
<li>
Natalie Vardabasso is a leading voice in assessment and equity, recognized for her innovative approaches to standards-based learning, feedback, and student agency. As a speaker, writer, and coach, she has helped thousands of educators create assessment systems that are not only accurate but also deeply humanizing.
</li>
</ul>
Together, Tom and Natalie bring complementary perspectives, humour, and a deep commitment to making assessment meaningful. Their partnership in Assess THAT and at the Canadian Assessment Centre reflects a shared belief that when educators improve how they assess, they unlock the full potential of every learner.
Tom and Natalie are also the authors of Rehumanizing Assessment: Gathering Evidence of Learning Through Storytelling, a book that challenges traditional grading systems and shows how assessment can honour student voice and identity.

Why Listen? Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, or policy maker, Assess THAT with Tom &amp; Nat will challenge your assumptions, equip you with actionable strategies, and inspire you to see assessment as the most powerful driver of student success.

Education

Assess THAT with Tom & Nat is a bi-weekly podcast where co-hosts Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso unpack what it really means to deepen assessment literacy in schools. Known for their dynamic, insightful, and sometimes provocative conversations, Tom and Nat create a space where educators can rethink grading, feedback, and accountability in ways that put student learning first. Each episode blends practical strategies with big-picture thinking, helping teachers and leaders translate research into action without losing sight of the human side of education. Listeners can expect honest discussions, fresh perspectives, and plenty of take-home ideas. From reimagining final exams to exploring the role of assessment in equity and Universal Design for Learning, Assess THAT is for any educator ready to challenge the status quo and embrace assessment as a tool for growth—not just measurement. About the HostsTom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso are internationally recognized speakers, authors, and consultants who have spent their careers helping schools modernize assessment and grading practices. Together, they are the co-founders of the Canadian Assessment Centre (CAC), a national professional learning hub created by Canadians, for Canadians to bring clarity, credibility, and care to assessment in classrooms across the country. Tom Schimmer is the author and co-author of multiple best-selling books, including Grading from the Inside Out and Standards-Based Learning in Action. With 35 years of experience as a teacher, leader, and consultant, Tom is known for his ability to translate big ideas into practical tools educators can use right away. Natalie Vardabasso is a leading voice in assessment and equity, recognized for her innovative approaches to standards-based learning, feedback, and student agency. As a speaker, writer, and coach, she has helped thousands of educators create assessment systems that are not only accurate but also deeply humanizing. Together, Tom and Natalie bring complementary perspectives, humour, and a deep commitment to making assessment meaningful. Their partnership in Assess THAT and at the Canadian Assessment Centre reflects a shared belief that when educators improve how they assess, they unlock the full potential of every learner. Tom and Natalie are also the authors of Rehumanizing Assessment: Gathering Evidence of Learning Through Storytelling, a book that challenges traditional grading systems and shows how assessment can honour student voice and identity. Why Listen?Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, or policy maker, Assess THAT with Tom & Nat will challenge your assumptions, equip you with actionable strategies, and inspire you to see assessment as the most powerful driver of student success.

Assess THAT with Tom &amp; Nat is a bi-weekly podcast where co-hosts Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso unpack what it really means to deepen assessment literacy in schools. Known for their dynamic, insightful, and sometimes provocative conversations, Tom and Nat create a space where educators can rethink grading, feedback, and accountability in ways that put student learning first. Each episode blends practical strategies with big-picture thinking, helping teachers and leaders translate research into action without losing sight of the human side of education.
Listeners can expect honest discussions, fresh perspectives, and plenty of take-home ideas. From reimagining final exams to exploring the role of assessment in equity and Universal Design for Learning, Assess THAT is for any educator ready to challenge the status quo and embrace assessment as a tool for growth—not just measurement.

About the Hosts Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso are internationally recognized speakers, authors, and consultants who have spent their careers helping schools modernize assessment and grading practices. Together, they are the co-founders of the Canadian Assessment Centre (CAC), a national professional learning hub created by Canadians, for Canadians to bring clarity, credibility, and care to assessment in classrooms across the country.
<ul>
<li>
Tom Schimmer is the author and co-author of multiple best-selling books, including Grading from the Inside Out and Standards-Based Learning in Action. With 35 years of experience as a teacher, leader, and consultant, Tom is known for his ability to translate big ideas into practical tools educators can use right away.
</li>
<li>
Natalie Vardabasso is a leading voice in assessment and equity, recognized for her innovative approaches to standards-based learning, feedback, and student agency. As a speaker, writer, and coach, she has helped thousands of educators create assessment systems that are not only accurate but also deeply humanizing.
</li>
</ul>
Together, Tom and Natalie bring complementary perspectives, humour, and a deep commitment to making assessment meaningful. Their partnership in Assess THAT and at the Canadian Assessment Centre reflects a shared belief that when educators improve how they assess, they unlock the full potential of every learner.
Tom and Natalie are also the authors of Rehumanizing Assessment: Gathering Evidence of Learning Through Storytelling, a book that challenges traditional grading systems and shows how assessment can honour student voice and identity.

Why Listen? Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, or policy maker, Assess THAT with Tom &amp; Nat will challenge your assumptions, equip you with actionable strategies, and inspire you to see assessment as the most powerful driver of student success.

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Back to School Balance | Tom Guskey | Large-Scale Assessment

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