Join us for MAC Reads 2025-26!
Read the featured book at your own pace, then join us for a live webinar with author Starr Sackstein on March 11, 2026 from 4-6 p.m.
Ensure better outcomes—and better emotional health—for all students!
This Book Study is ideal for:
- School-level administrators
- District-level administrators
- Aspiring administrators
- Teacher leaders
- Organization leaders who mentor/equip teachers
Featured book for 2025-26
Assessing with Respect: Everyday Practices That Meet Students’ Social and Emotional Needs
by Starr Sackstein
In this timely and thoughtful call to action, author and educator Starr Sackstein’s examines the critical intersection between assessment and social and emotional learning (SEL), particularly as it affects students of color and other marginalized groups. She addresses the five SEL competencies identified by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL)—self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making—and explains how teaching students to develop their abilities in these areas can help them improve their learning and assessment experiences.
Sackstein presents relevant research and draws from personal experience and the reflections of students, teachers, and administrators to present a compelling case for approaching assessment through the SEL lens. Educators at all levels who have witnessed the devasting effects that testing can have on students’ beliefs in themselves as learners will find Assessing with Respect to be an invaluable guide to ensuring better outcomes—and better emotional health—for all students.
Event Resources
Presenter: Starr Sackstein
Starr Sackstein (@MsSackstein) has been an educator for more than 20 years and is currently a full-time educational consultant, instructional coach, and speaker. She is the author of many educational books, including Blogging for Educators, Teaching Students to Self-Assess: How Do I Help Students Grow as Learners?, The Power of Questioning: Opening Up the World of Student Inquiry, Hacking Assessment: 10 Ways to Go Gradeless in a Traditional Grades School, Peer Feedback in the Classroom: Empower Students to Provide Effective Peer Feedback, and From Teacher to Leader: Finding Your Way as a First Time Leader Without Losing Your Mind. She blogs on Education Week Teacher at "Work in Progress" and has contributed to several other publications. Starr has traveled the world sharing ideas about assessment reform in France, Spain, Canada, Dubai, and South Korea and is hoping to continue changing the system for kids everywhere.