Unit 1: Introduction and Overview California Department of
Education Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction
1
Slide 2
This module: Provides an overview of a balanced assessment
system aligned to the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) for
English- Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics 2 Shows assessment
as an integrated part of the instructional cycle Addresses the
roles of formative, interim, and summative assessments in that
cycle Emphasizes the identification and effective use of classroom
formative assessment strategies and tools and how to use the
resulting data
Slide 3
3 Introduction and Overview Module Goal: To provide
participants with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively
and appropriately plan for and implement assessments to support the
learning of all students. This module also shows how to gather and
use assessment data from multiple sources to increase students
learning of the California Common Core State Standards (CA CCSS)
and their development of 21st Century Skills. Module Goal: To
provide participants with the knowledge and skills needed to
effectively and appropriately plan for and implement assessments to
support the learning of all students. This module also shows how to
gather and use assessment data from multiple sources to increase
students learning of the California Common Core State Standards (CA
CCSS) and their development of 21st Century Skills.
Slide 4
Let's begin with a pre-assessment to find out how much you
already know about Assessment Literacy. Complete the
Pre-Assessment. Work independently, without discussion or
assistance from others. 4 Pre-Assessment Handout
Slide 5
Introduction and Overview The purpose of this unit is to
increase awareness of the importance of incorporating the
development of 21st Century Skills into classroom instruction and
assessment within the context of the CCSS. 5
Slide 6
By the end of this unit, participants will be able to:
Articulate the rationale for change in educational assessment
Articulate the rationale for change in educational assessment
Describe the key components of 21st Century Learning Skills
Describe the key components of 21st Century Learning Skills Begin
to understand the concept of Assessment Literacy Begin to
understand the concept of Assessment Literacy 6
Slide 7
As you apply what you learn in this module, you will develop
your own personal definition, based on your particular context and
background. In general, Norman Webbs (2002) definition of
Assessment Literacy provides a good starting point: Assessment
Literacy is defined as the knowledge about how to assess what
students know and can do, interpret the results of these
assessments, and apply these results to improve student learning
and program effectiveness. 7
Slide 8
The concepts and processes covered in this module are
applicable to any statewide assessment system and support effective
classroom-level assessment as an integral part of the teaching and
learning cycle. Identification and effective use of a variety of
formative assessment practices and tools and the appropriate use of
those tools to inform instructional decisions are addressed.
Emphasis on classroom- and school-level applications of the
attributes of assessment-literate educators. The concepts and
processes covered in this module are applicable to any statewide
assessment system and support effective classroom-level assessment
as an integral part of the teaching and learning cycle.
Identification and effective use of a variety of formative
assessment practices and tools and the appropriate use of those
tools to inform instructional decisions are addressed. Emphasis on
classroom- and school-level applications of the attributes of
assessment-literate educators. Norman Webbs Assessment Literacy in
a Standards- Based Urban Education Setting available at:
http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/archive/mps/AERA2002/Assessment
%20literacy%20NLW%20Final%2032602.pdf Norman Webbs Assessment
Literacy in a Standards- Based Urban Education Setting available
at: http://www.wcer.wisc.edu/archive/mps/AERA2002/Assessment
%20literacy%20NLW%20Final%2032602.pdf 8
Slide 9
Education across the United States is in the process of
significant change, and shifts in assessment practices are central
to the reforms currently in progress. What are some of the factors
driving this change in process? 9
Slide 10
Excerpts from the Cisco-Intel-Microsofts 2004 Call to Action,
Transforming Education: Assessing and Teaching 21st Century Skills:
Significant reform is needed in education, world-wide, to respond
to and shape global trends in support of both economic and social
development. What is learned, how it is taught, and how schools are
organized must be transformed to respond to the social and economic
needs of students and society as we face the challenges of the 21st
century. Systemic education reform is needed that includes
curriculum, pedagogy, teacher training, and school organization.
Reform is particularly needed in education assessmenthow is it that
education and society more generally measure the competencies and
skills that are needed for productive, creative workers and
citizens? Accountability is an important component of education
reform. But more often than not, accountability efforts have
measured what is easiest to measure, rather than what is most
important. Significant reform is needed in education, world-wide,
to respond to and shape global trends in support of both economic
and social development. What is learned, how it is taught, and how
schools are organized must be transformed to respond to the social
and economic needs of students and society as we face the
challenges of the 21st century. Systemic education reform is needed
that includes curriculum, pedagogy, teacher training, and school
organization. Reform is particularly needed in education
assessmenthow is it that education and society more generally
measure the competencies and skills that are needed for productive,
creative workers and citizens? Accountability is an important
component of education reform. But more often than not,
accountability efforts have measured what is easiest to measure,
rather than what is most important. 10
Slide 11
For additional information, read Transforming Education:
Assessing and Teaching 21st Century at
http://atc21s.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Cisco-Intel
Microsoft-Assessment-Call-to-Action.pdf For additional information,
read Transforming Education: Assessing and Teaching 21st Century at
http://atc21s.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Cisco-Intel
Microsoft-Assessment-Call-to-Action.pdf 11
Slide 12
Video: What is 21 st Century Education?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v
=Ax5cNlutAys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v
=Ax5cNlutAys Video: What is 21 st Century Education?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v
=Ax5cNlutAys
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v
=Ax5cNlutAys Pay particular attention to: The kinds of knowledge
and skills that students need to move forward. What this means for
classroom instruction and assessment. 12
Slide 13
Respond to the questions below: What were two or three of the
most important points you gleaned from the video clip? How do you
see your role as an educator changing based on the 21st Century
skills and knowledge that students need to be successful in the
current and future global economy? 13
Slide 14
The Partnership for 21st Century Skills
(http://www.p21.org/)http://www.p21.org/ developed a framework to
provide a vision for student success in the new global economy. The
Partnership for 21st Century Skills
(http://www.p21.org/)http://www.p21.org/ developed a framework to
provide a vision for student success in the new global economy.
Read: Framework for 21st Century Learning 14 Framework for 21 st
Century Learning Handout
Slide 15
1.Describe the relationship depicted in the graphic on your
handout between: Core content skills and knowledge The essential
learning skills of critical thinking, communication, collaboration,
and creativity (4Cs) 1.Describe the relationship depicted in the
graphic on your handout between: Core content skills and knowledge
The essential learning skills of critical thinking, communication,
collaboration, and creativity (4Cs) 2. What are your ideas about
how the 4Cs may be integrated into your classroom instruction and
assessment? 15
Slide 16
In President Obamas first major education speech of his
presidency, he responded to critics who complained of too much
change, too fast. The President countered that waiting is
particularly inappropriate for education and highlighted the role
of assessment in fostering improvement, noting that even within a
few years America would see a different reality: By 2016, four out
of every ten new jobs will require at least some advanced education
or training I am calling on our nations Governors and state
education chiefs to develop standards and assessments that dont
simply measure whether students can fill in a bubble on a test, but
whether they possess 21st Century Skills like problem-solving and
critical thinking, entrepreneurship, and creativity. President
Barack Obama, Address to Hispanic Chamber of Commerce March 10,
2009 By 2016, four out of every ten new jobs will require at least
some advanced education or training I am calling on our nations
Governors and state education chiefs to develop standards and
assessments that dont simply measure whether students can fill in a
bubble on a test, but whether they possess 21st Century Skills like
problem-solving and critical thinking, entrepreneurship, and
creativity. President Barack Obama, Address to Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce March 10, 2009 16
Slide 17
Remarks by the President to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on
a Complete and Competitive American Education is available at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-of-the-
President-to-the-United-States-Hispanic-Chamber-of- Commerce.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-of-the-
President-to-the-United-States-Hispanic-Chamber-of- Commerce
Remarks by the President to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on a
Complete and Competitive American Education is available at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-of-the-
President-to-the-United-States-Hispanic-Chamber-of- Commerce.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-of-the-
President-to-the-United-States-Hispanic-Chamber-of- Commerce
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Slide 18
The Three-Minute Video Explaining the Common Core State
Standards at http://vimeo.com/51933492 describes how the CCSS are
designed to help students achieve at high levels and help them
learn what they need to know to get to graduation and
beyond.http://vimeo.com/51933492 The Three-Minute Video Explaining
the Common Core State Standards at http://vimeo.com/51933492
describes how the CCSS are designed to help students achieve at
high levels and help them learn what they need to know to get to
graduation and beyond.http://vimeo.com/51933492 18 As you watch,
think about how implementation of the CCSS will impact teaching and
learning in your classroom.
Slide 19
The College and Career Readiness (CCR) Anchor Standards are the
foundation of the CCSS and describe the skills and knowledge
students are expected to have when they graduate high school.
Students advancing through the grades are expected to meet each
years grade-specific standards, working steadily towards meeting
the more general expectations. The College and Career Readiness
(CCR) Anchor Standards are the foundation of the CCSS and describe
the skills and knowledge students are expected to have when they
graduate high school. Students advancing through the grades are
expected to meet each years grade-specific standards, working
steadily towards meeting the more general expectations. Review the
College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards 19 CCR Anchor
Standards Handout
Slide 20
In March 2012, the California State Board of Education approved
a CCSS Systems Implementation Plan to guide and support the
transition from the 1997 standards and assessments to the new
standards and assessments. Californias transition plan is designed
to facilitate essential coherence and alignment in the CCSS system.
The Common Core State Standards Systems Implementation Plan and
additional information about the CCSS is available on the CDE Web
site at http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/.http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/
The Common Core State Standards Systems Implementation Plan and
additional information about the CCSS is available on the CDE Web
site at http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/.http://www.cde.ca.gov/re/cc/
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Slide 21
Education across the United States is in the process of
unprecedented change, as reflected by sweeping educational reform
at the federal, state, and local levels. The adoption of the CCSS
and common statewide assessment systems brings states together as
never before in the shared vision of ensuring all students are
prepared for college and career success. 21
Slide 22
As evidenced in this unit, to face the challenges of the 21st
century: Changes need to be made in the educational system in
response to the social and economic needs of students and society.
Widespread systemic reform is necessary in curriculum, pedagogy,
and assessment. Students need to acquire, apply, and integrate the
21st Century Learning Skills of the 4Cs (critical thinking,
communication, collaboration, and creativity) into their core
content skills and knowledge. The CCSS were designed to be relevant
in the 21st century world, reflecting the knowledge and skills that
students need for success in college and careers. Assessments must
be developed that move beyond the fill in the bubble assessments to
measure critical 21st Century Learning Skills and college and
career readiness. 22
Slide 23
List some of the factors driving the current changes occurring
in education. What are the essential 21st Century Learning Skills
students need to acquire through classroom instruction and
assessment? 23 Respond to the following: