Helping Michigan to Become the State of Assessment Literacy – Susan Brookhart

In this session, Susan Brookhart will tie together the previous ALN presentations on balanced assessment systems (by Jim Pellegrino) and formative assessment (by Margaret Heritage) and add insights to help the Assessment Learning Network take action, based on these understandings, to build assessment literacy in Michigan. Specifically, she will prioritize key learning needs for different role groups (e.g., students and their families, teachers, building and central office administrators, and local and state policymakers) and identify key assessment learning resources that already exist. The presentation will close by recommending some actions ALN members might consider, to take advantage of resources that currently exist and to build local resources to fill gaps.

Framing Questions

1. Why is assessment important and worth all the attention we’re giving it?
2. What are the components of a balanced assessment system?
3. What one or two critical understandings or behaviors for each role group would begin to improve assessment practices in the interest of better serving students?
4. What are some small steps that you and your organization can take now to improve assessment literacy in Michigan?
5. What successful implementation strategy have you experienced or observed in use by any role group or system-wide?