Go read this!

The results of "For Every Child, Multiple Measures: What Parents and Educators Want From K-12 Assessments" a report from Northwest Evaluation Association and Grunwald Associates are now available... basically, the researchers surveyed parents an teachers to find out what makes assessment results effective and meaningful (and useful in supporting children and understanding schools and classrooms).

Key findings from the study include:

1. Child-centered teaching and learning is a top priority for parents and educators.
2. Parents, teachers and district administrators think it's important to measure student performance in a full range of subjects—and in the "thinking" skills that will be critical in life.
3. Parents, teachers and district administrators agree on local decision-making about teaching and learning.
4. Formative and interim assessments are perceived as more valuable by parents and educators.
5. Many parents, teachers and administrators question the money, time and stress spent on assessment.

Based on the findings, NWEA offers the following recommendations:

Recommendations for Assessment Developers and Policymakers

1. Broaden the dialogue beyond summative assessments and high-stakes accountability.
2. Focus on more than language arts and mathematics assessments.
3. Develop innovative ways to measure learning, thinking and life skills.
4. Encourage local decision-making on assessments that support learning.

Recommendations for State and District Leaders

1. Share decision-making authority and responsibility for teaching and learning with teachers, principals and school leaders.
2. Select assessments that provide timely and useful information.
3. Establish professional learning communities and provide time and training for educators to better understand the different assessments and effective use of assessment data.
4. Provide parents with comparative data on students at the district and national levels.