Making the Leap

The concept of assessments has become conflated with standardized summative exams such as state benchmarks. Schools are under significant pressure to exhibit proficiency on said exams. The inability to do so results in dire consequences (e.g., state receivership, school closures, etc.). As a result, school leaders might make the conscious decision to modify curricula and assessment to best reflect the upcoming exam. This practice shifts and dilutes the thinking around effective assessment practices. Teachers come to view assessments as opportunities more so for information recall rather than instances to promote greater metacognition. This document offers insight into how schools can begin to shift their thinking around assessment practices and create a culture that supports assessment as learning.