Aug
06
Building a Better Assessment Future 2026
August 6 - 7, 2026It’s time to place students at the center of our classroom practice and assessment systems. This requires leadership that not only values innovation but is…
Engage in 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 increased student achievement.
Join us for a three-year facilitated professional learning and implementation journey toward Achieving Balance in Classroom Assessment (ABCA).
Claim your place among a select number of districts to participate in this unique opportunity to learn how balanced assessment—assessment for and of learning – can:
- substantially improve student instruction and learning
- close gaps in student performance, and
- increase equity in student learning and achievement.
Through the ABCA program, the Michigan Assessment Consortium (MAC) will support district teams with structured programming, planning consultation, and high-quality resources to help them cultivate increased student achievement through improved assessment practices in each classroom. MAC-provided learning facilitators will engage district ABCA teams in strengthening classroom assessment using both the formative assessment process (assessment for learning) and interim assessments periodically (assessments of learning).
Participant Outcomes
Educators will deepen their understanding and knowledge of:
- a balanced assessment system implemented within a classroom setting;
- assessment literacy and what educators should know, do, and believe as they work to improve the balance of assessment at the classroom level;
- assessment for learning (the formative assessment process) and assessment of learning (summative assessments) and how they work together to enhance student learning and increase student achievement;
- formative assessment as a process to plan, deliver, and reflect on instruction;
- the proper use of interim/benchmark assessments to monitor and/or verify student learning; and
- the role of assessment in the continuous improvement process and how to implement a balanced assessment system using the MICIP framework.
Program Schedule
Each ABCA district team will participate in a structured learning program designed to deepen understanding of how assessment for learning (formative assessment) and assessment of learning (summative assessments) can work together to improve assessment balance at the classroom level, leading to enhanced student learning and achievement. Teams will also receive expert consultation between and after sessions to develop and implement an Assessment Learning and Implementation Plan.
Site teams will engage in six virtual after-school learning sessions!
Participating teams will meet between structured learning sessions to discuss and plan how to put their learning into practice in the district. MAC-provided learning facilitators will support participants with resources and strategies to extend the professional learning to others in their districts.
NOTE: Site coordinators will engage in three additional sessions with the ABCA PMT from 4:00–5:30 p.m. EST on:
- October 6, 2026
- February 2, 2027
- April 20, 2027
Year 1 will culminate in the creation of an Assessment Learning and Implementation Plan (ALIP) that will guide the district’s efforts to balance assessment in classrooms across the district.
Cost
Year 1: $2,999.00 (covers teams of up to 10 participants)
Get Started
- Review the ABCA Professional Learning Program Frequently Asked Questions.
- Share this opportunity with district leaders and/or potential site team members.
- Direct additional questions about the ABCA program to Dr. Ellen Vorenkamp at 810.923.0327 or evorenkamp@michiganassessmentconsortium.org
