Writing with the practical constraints of teaching in mind, Andrade and Heritage present a concise resource to help teachers maximize the positive impacts of testing on teaching.

Heidi L. Andrade is Associate Professor of Educational Psychology and Methodology in the School of Education at the University at Albany, State University of New York, USA.

Margaret Heritage is Assistant Director for Professional Development at the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards and Student Testing (CRESST) at University of California Los Angeles, USA.

List of Figures, Tables, and Boxes

Preface

Chapter 1: Introduction to Formative Assessment

Overview

What About Grading?

Three Guiding Questions

Formative Assessment Influences Learning through Feedback

Formative Assessment and Self-Regulated Learning

Classroom Culture and Formative Assessment

Chapter 2: Actionable Principles of Formative Assessment

Overview

Middle School Classroom

Elementary Mathematics Lesson

Diagnostic Items

Self-Regulated Learning, Self-Efficacy, and Motivation

Chapter 3: Clear Learning Goals and Criteria

Overview

Learning Goals Derived From Standards

Learning Goals Derived From Learning Progressions

Performance and Product Criteria

Performance Criteria

Product Criteria

Checklists

Rubrics

Goals, Criteria, and Self-Regulation

Co-Constructing Criteria With Students

Chapter 4: Collecting and Interpreting Evidence of Learning

Overview

Collecting and Interpreting Evidence as Students Work

Collecting and Interpreting Evidence of Learning From Diagnostic Items

Collecting and Interpreting Evidence of Learning From Parallel Tests

Collecting and Interpreting Evidence of Learning With Technology

Researcher-Developed Tools

Online Assessment Response Tools

Evidence Quality

Validity in Formative Assessment

Reliability in Formative Assessment

Fairness in Formative Assessment

Using the Evidence

Collecting and Interpreting Evidence of Learning From Themselves: Student Self-Assessment

Collecting and Interpreting Evidence of Learning From Peers

Student Interpretations of Feedback

Chapter 5: Taking Action

Overview

Teachers Taking Action

Continue With the Lesson as Planned

Make Immediate Instructional Adjustments

Modeling

Prompting

Questioning

Telling

Explaining

Directing

Providing Feedback

Make Plans for Subsequent Lessons

Students Taking Action: Assessment Strategies That Prompt Corrections, Rethinking, and Revisions Connected to Learning Goals and Success Criteria

Summing Up and Moving Forward