When used with purpose, assessments can be powerful tools to help educators use data to understand how students learn and design learning experiences to meet their needs.
This focus area provides educators with the skills needed to formatively assess student learning, develop checks for understanding, use student data to inform instruction, and help students understand their academic progress.
Focus Area
Effective student assessment provides critical data to guide differentiated instruction and is an integral part of the learning process. We support skill development through personalized pathways built from workshops, 1:1 coaching, and learning walks to achieve clear outcomes.
Outcome: I can implement authentic assessments in order to motivate students, offer formative feedback, and evaluate student progress as part of the learning process.
Outcome: I design varied checks for understanding that provide insight into my students’ comprehension.
Outcome: I design student-centered assessments that support students to demonstrate their learning.
Outcome: I create and refine systems of student-centered feedback in my classroom that support students to take ownership of their learning.
Outcome: I create systems in which my students and I collaboratively use data to track academic progress.
Outcome: I design differentiated learning experiences by using strategic student grouping.
Help teachers schedule and structure a simple whole-class data dive routine during which all students can be celebrated for their progress while also receiving constructive feedback.
Give students access to a Mastery Map and create opportunities for them to practice skills at their own pace.
Provide structure to create user-friendly data sets and student action plans to put student data to good use.
We’ve identified four Elements that are key for academic success and for building student-centered classrooms. BetterLesson guides teachers, instructional coaches, and leaders through Focus Areas within each Element to lead their professional development journey.
Instructional Leadership Improve instruction and learning for teachers and students by building your skills as an instructional leader.
Inclusive and Responsive Practices Build an equitable learning community where all students can be supported, celebrated, and successful.
Flexible Instructional Models Find unique ways for all students to learn, communicate, and solve meaningful problems.
Curriculum and Academic Content Use learning tools and curriculum to create a student-centered classroom.
Improve instruction and learning for teachers and students by building your skills as an instructional leader.
Build an equitable learning community where all students can be supported, celebrated, and successful.
Find unique ways for all students to learn, communicate, and solve meaningful problems.
Use learning tools and curriculum to create a student-centered classroom.
Accelerate growth in your schools and stay ahead of the curve.
