New Survey Helps Educators Start the Conversation about Assessment

Educators will become fluent in the language and practice of assessment, thanks to the Survey of Assessment Practices. A joint project of AdvancED and Measured Progress, this accessible and comprehensive tool gauges assessment literacy and helps teachers improve instruction. 

The survey is an easy-to-use, Web-delivered instrument that helps teachers and administrators pinpoint their competencies and misconceptions about the effective use of assessment, ranging from formative, classroom-based assessments to external, summative assessments. The survey looks at and clearly identifies schools’ current assessment practices. Groups of educators in a school or district are encouraged to take the survey in concert. The survey pinpoints areas of need, helps determine whether current practice leads to intended outcomes, and outlines the purposeful use of assessment strategies.  

“The Survey of Assessment Practices is a conversation-starter,” said Paul Perry, marketing project coordinator at Measured Progress. “Teachers, specialists, and administrators will use the survey to take a look at what they are doing in their schools and reflect on whether they’re following best practices. Through this survey, schools can begin a conversation on where they are and where they want to be,” he said. 

Asking the Right Questions

• How are we collecting evidence of student learning?
• How are we using assessment data to improve instruction?
• Are we using formative and summative assessments appropriately?
• Are our instructional approaches based on best practices?
• Are we aligned with each other in our assessment practices?

These questions pave the way for collaborative discussions, helping educators to review how they use assessment, look at what they do with results, and align their practices with those of their colleagues to bring lasting and consistent improvements to instruction. Educators can also articulate their beliefs about the role of assessment in the classroom and identify the resources they need to adopt best practices. 

When the survey is completed, educators receive their results, along with a common-sense interpretation guide. “Educators can use survey results to guide professional development, support professional learning communities, set priorities for improvement, pinpoint the instructional areas most in need of attention, and help maximize the benefits of their assessment programs,” Perry said. 

Working Together to Meet the Needs of Educators

The creators of the Survey of Assessment Practices bring a wealth of insight and experience to the project. AdvancED is the unified organization of the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA CASI), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement (SACS CASI), and the National Study of School Evaluation (NSSE). 

Measured Progress has worked with more than 35 states on programs involving millions of students. In addition, the company offers professional development and various tools to help district educators to measure student achievement and improve instruction. 

Although Measured Progress and AdvancED come to this collaboration from different starting points, the organizations are both dedicated to using assessments wisely in order to ensure the success of all students. 

“Through our partnership with Measured Progress, we continue to develop valuable tools to help schools and school systems improve,” said Mark Elgart, AdvancED president and chief executive officer. 

Using Information to Measure and Promote Student Learning

The clearer the picture educators and students have of student learning, the more effective they will be in ensuring success. Educators can work with students (and parents) to set a course for student growth by identifying areas that need attention, modifying or targeting instruction, building on areas of strength, and more effectively engaging students in their own learning. 

“Coming from a teaching background myself, I know for a fact that assessment in and of itself is not going to improve student learning; teachers and students do that,” said Michael Ehringhaus, Measured Progress director of professional development. “But if we unleash the rich information that a wide variety of assessments gives us—and show educators how to interpret and use this information to both measure and promote student learning—then the results of these assessments can help teachers and students significantly improve the learning that occurs in the classroom.”

Partners to Improve Student Learning

The Survey of Assessment Practices is just one facet of Measured Progress’ partnership with AdvancED. As part of this relationship, Measured Progress experts have collaborated with SACS CASI on professional development events for teachers and administrators. Measured Progress staff members have also participated in site visits for district accreditation. The two organizations co-sponsor Formative Assessment as Instructional Practice, a workshop for teachers and administrators.