Center for Standards, Assessment, and Accountability

Keyword: Communication

CSAI Webinar: Helping SEAs Communicate Effectively Around Shifts in Assessment Scores

Results from pilot/field tests and early implementers have shown significant drops in student scores across grade levels and subjects. During this June 25, 2015 webinar for the Regional Comprehensive Centers, CSAI discussed some of the reasons for these decreases and how the Comprehensive Center network could best support our state education agencies in effectively communicating […]

Dear Colleague Letter on Stakeholder Engagement – June 23, 2016

In this letter, the U.S. Department of Education (USED) provides suggestions for engaging with stakeholders around the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act. USED also provides suggested resources to support the development of a stakeholder engagement plan.

Department of Education Releases Resources on Improving School Climate (Press Release)

As part of efforts to ensure safe and supportive school climates, the U.S. Department of Education released school climate surveys that can be used with middle and high school students, instructional staff, non-instructional staff, and parents and guardians. The web-platform for these surveys can be downloaded for free and hosted on state, local, or school-based […]

Testing Reform Victories 2015: Growing Grassroots Movement Rolls Back Testing Overkill

As its title suggests, the authors of this publication present information related to recent changes in state and district assessment policies. Those issues include: Graduation Test Policies  Test-Based Grade Retention Opting Out of Testing Public Opinion about Tests Tests for College Admissions; and   Recommendations for Continued Changes in Test Policies. The authors cite a broad […]

The Role of Strategic Communications in the Transition to New Academic Standards and Assessments: Case Studies of Tennessee and Kentucky

This case study examines how the Commonwealth of Kentucky and the state of Tennessee managed communications in the transition to more rigorous standards. The authors present eight important lessons including: proactive communication; coordinated communication; educator engagement; simple messages; engaging partners; planning for the inevitable; tying education reform to improved outcomes for students and state economic growth; and meeting with […]

In Native Schools, Hope and Fears about New Nationwide Standards

The gap between how Native American students and white students perform academically is the widest in the country based on test scores, graduation rates and college enrollments. This article explores the potential impact of the Common Core state standards on Native American students and schools, presenting views from proponents and opponents. Some argue that the new […]