All teachers create tests, a type of assessment. Assessment can be used to improve student learning and teacher instruction, as in the case of formative assessment. After instruction, teachers use summative assessment to find out if students have mastered curricula aims. Most teachers create their own assessments for classroom use or use tests created by Read More

You’ve heard about all the disadvantages of teaching to standardized tests or assessments. Some educators use the content and skills that will be on a standardized test to plan classroom instruction. It narrows instruction to only what’s on the test. Once instruction is focused on the test, the creativity and dynamism of teaching is reduced. Read More

R emember that Singapore math problem that went viral? The one about Cheryl’s birthday. Lots of people had something to say about it: It’s too difficult. How are parents supposed to help with math homework? That’s why the Common Core Math Standards are a terrible idea. Totally unrelated, but people used the viral Singapore math problem Read More