Hoisting the Flag

In a recent Ed Week Commentary, James Popham, explains why he is waving the flag for formative assessment. (http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2013/01/09/15popham.h32.html?tkn=WYQFdJU2ShqBtjyYxQpyxQUrY2l5773zztvg&cmp=clp-edweek) I agree with his premise that Common Core State Standards provide a teachable moment for formative assessment. Formative assessment works, when done right. The Council of Chief State School Officers describe it this way: “Formative Assessment is a process used by teachers and students during instruction that provides feedback to adjust ongoing teaching and learning to improve students' achievement of intended instructional outcomes.” (Heritage 2010) Note that the Council of Chief State School Officers is one of the original designers of the Common Core. And, they are defining it as an ongoing classroom practice and process.

Popham muses over why so few teachers are well versed in formative assessment when there are sufficient studies and resources to support professional growth and practice. He makes the point that although we won’t fully know the outcome of the Common Core tests for a few more years, there is an opportunity in the present to build the formative assessment skills that will support their implementation. If schools and teachers will be required to report student growth, formative assessment is a feasible starting point.

 

Three cheers for James Popham.