Assessing Deeper Learning – Jay McTighe

Assessment Learning Network, March 4, 2020


Transforming 21st century standards and skills into a coherent curriculum and assessment system that emphasizes deep learning and long-term transfer is the focus of this session with educational consultant and noted author Jay McTighe.  We will explore the standards, skills, and related assessment strategies and practices that could become the basis of true “competency-based” educational programs, leading students to be better prepared for their futures.

The session will address these questions

  • What are key competencies needed for a student to be “college and career ready”?
  • Are we assessing everything we value or primarily those learning outcomes that are easiest to test?
  • How can we gather appropriate evidence of deep learning of disciplinary content?
  • How might we assess 21st century skills (e.g., critical thinking, creativity, collaboration)?
  • What if we “mapped the curriculum” in terms of desired performances rather than simply in terms of content to cover?
  • What might a true competency-based curriculum and assessment system look like?

Many of the ideas examined in this session will be drawn from McTighe’s recent book, Leading Modern Learning: A Blueprint for Vision Driven Schools (2nd ed.).

Event Resources

Presentation Video

ALN Keynote - Jay McTighe

Presenter: Jay McTighe

Jay McTighe is an accomplished author, having co-authored 17 books, including the award-winning and best-selling Understanding by Design series with Grant Wiggins. Jay’s articles are often found in ASCD publications and Education Week. Wiggins and McTighe popularized the notion of "backwards design" which remains a consistent theme in Jay’s writing and work. Jay has an extensive background in professional development and is a regular speaker at national and international conferences, having worked in 47 states within the United States, 7 Canadian provinces, and internationally in 38 countries on six continents.

Learning Moments

LM-Jay McTighe: Key competencies needed for a student to be college and career ready
LM-Jay McTighe: How might schools assess everything they value?
LM-Jay McTighe: Assessment implications for the five types of learning goals
LM-Jay McTighe: True competency-based curriculum and assessment
LM-Jay McTighe: Learning deeply
LM-Jay McTighe: What are the benefits of "mapping the curriculum" in terms of desired performances?

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