Major impediments to district use of performance or constructed-response assessments include 1) lacking trust in teacher self-scored assessments (due to lack of scorer training) and 2) the cost of central scoring. Yet, teacher scoring of student work is among the most powerful professional learning in which teachers can engage. How can better scoring be provided locally in a more cost-effective manner? These challenges are addressed in the Michigan-Collaborative Scoring System (MI-CSS) project, developed from MZ Development software in collaboration with the MAC, as part of a statewide arts assessment (Michigan Arts Education Instruction and Assessment). While the project focuses on the arts, its implications transcend all curriculum areas. States could provide model performance assessments using written, audio, or video response with rubrics for local educator use, thus providing quality classroom assessments at substantially lower cost and making such assessments a feasible part of a state- or district-balanced approach to assessment.
At the 2025 Building a Better Assessment Future conference, we are placing students at the center of our assessment systems, practices, and policies. Join us…
Facilitate classroom-level, assessment-literate practice to improve student learning & achievement! Districts that implement—with fidelity—quality balanced assessment systems in every classroom show improved student learning and…
The Assessment Learning Network (ALN) kicks off the 2025-26 season with an in-person session that includes learning, networking, and a luncheon. Art is a…
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