A Local Assessment Toolkit to Promote Deeper Learning: Transforming Research Into Practice - Paperback

by Karin J. Hess (Author)

Build assessments you can really use Unlock the how, when, what, and why

Watch your system become greater than its parts by building local capacity through common language and deeper knowledge of assessment components. For years, educators have turned to the Hess Cognitive Rigor Matrices (CRM). Now for the first time, the modules are packaged into one resource to help you evaluate the quality and premise of your current assessment system. Designed as a professional development guide for long-term use by school leaders, five content-rich, topic-based modules:

• Offer field-tested, teacher-friendly strategies for local school test development
• Can be used for individual or professional development opportunities
• Allow for sequential or non-sequential use

Author Biography

Dr. Karin Hess has over 35 years of deep experience in curriculum, instruction, and assessment. She is a recognized international leader in developing practical approaches for using cognitive rigor and learning progressions as the foundation for formative, interim, and performance assessments.

For almost 15 years at the Center for Assessment, Karin distinguished herself as a content and curriculum and assessment expert in multiple content areas. She has effectively guided many states and US territories in the development of grade level expectations and test specifications for general education and alternate assessments for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Karin's experiences as a state director of gifted education for New Jersey and as a district curriculum director, building principal, and classroom teacher (15 years) enable her to understand the practical implications of her work while maintaining fidelity to research, technical quality, and established best practices. Karin has also worked as a program evaluator for the Vermont Mathematics Project; as a content specialist for development of the New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) ELA, Math, & Science assessments; and as the developer and editor of Science Exemplars (www.exemplars.com). She has authored and co-authored books, book chapters, articles, and white papers related to instructional practices, alignment, cognitive rigor, text complexity, and assessment. With Dr. Linda Darling Hammond, she co-led development of the SBAC content specifications for assessment of the Common Core in ELA and mathematics. Karin′s current work has included guiding the development of NH′s K-12 Model Competencies for ELA, Mathematics, and Science and supporting school districts in many states in creating and analyzing use of high-quality performance assessments and performance scales for competency-based learning systems.