Notes from the Field

CSAA experts and invited guests blog on core areas of our work.

October 28, 2020

Academic Testing Looks Very Different in California During Distance Learning

WestEd Senior Professional Learning Specialist Barbara Jones is quoted in this EdSource article examining how teachers are assessing their students during distance learning. California teachers are implementing different strategies and tools to gauge their students’ understanding.

This includes the application of formative assessment practices to collect evidence of student learning that can be used to make rapid instructional adjustments. In the article, Jones draws on her experiences working with school districts to develop familiarity with formative assessment strategies that support students conducting self-assessments of their own learning and refocusing on student learning.