Drs. Margo Gottlieb and Andrea Honigsfeld, authors of Collaborative Assessment for Multilingual Learners and Teachers, join Highest Aspirations to discuss how administrators can support educators in transforming assessment practices. Moving beyond traditional methods, they emphasize the role of school leaders in fostering a collaborative approach that centers multilingual learners and empowers teachers.

This episode explores the essential role of administrators in the five phases of collaborative assessment and how they integrate into the instructional cycle. Drs. Gottlieb and Honigsfeld discuss strategies for creating a culture of shared assessment, supporting teacher collaboration, and ensuring multilingual learners' voices are honored throughout the process. Learn how school leaders can make assessment a meaningful and equitable part of the learning journey.

Key questions we address:

1. How can administrators support teachers in implementing collaborative assessment?
2. What structures and supports help create a culture of shared assessment in schools?
3. How do we collaboratively examine student learning within instructional and assessment cycles across grade levels and content areas?

For additional episode and community resources:

• Download the transcript here.
• Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld and Dr. Margo Gottlieb book discussed: Collaborative Assessment for Multilingual Learners and Teachers: Pathways to Partnerships
• Companion site for book to access the resources included with your purchase.
• University of Chicago researchers, Bryk and Schneider’s Trust in Schools: A Core Resource for Improvement
• Steve Barkley Ponders Out Loud Podcast
• For additional free resources geared toward supporting English learners, ⁠visit our blog

Andrea Honigsfeld, EdD, is a professor at Molloy College, teaching graduate courses on cultural and linguistic diversity and TESOL methodology. Previously, she taught ESL/EFL in Hungary and New York City. She researches individualized instruction and has published extensively on multilingual learners and collaborative practices. A Fulbright Scholar, she has presented internationally and provides professional learning on content and language integration and collaborative practices. She has coauthored over 60 articles and chapters and over 30 books, including 11 national bestsellers.

Dr. Margo Gottlieb, WIDA co-founder and lead developer, has a distinguished career as a language teacher, coordinator, facilitator, and consultant. A Fulbright Senior Scholar and TESOL 50@50 honoree, she has presented internationally and authored over 100 publications, including "Assessing Multilingual Learners: Bridges to Empowerment" (3rd ed., 2024), "Classroom Assessment in Multiple Languages" (2021/2022), and "Collaborative Assessment for Multilingual Learners and Teachers" (with Andrea Honigsfeld).