Design principles for new systems of assessment

Abstract

The Every Student Succeeds Act grants states new flexibility to create more balanced assessment systems with a greater role for formative assessment. Drawing on lessons learned over three decades of research and reform, we argue that state and local leaders should take the lead in designing new assessments guided by two core principles: First, make assessments coherent with rich curriculum and instruction; second, ground this integration of curriculum, instruction, and embedded assessments in equity-focused research on learning.