{"id":12910,"date":"2020-06-22T01:00:35","date_gmt":"2020-06-22T05:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aurora-institute.org\/?post_type=cw_post&p=12910"},"modified":"2020-07-02T13:17:57","modified_gmt":"2020-07-02T17:17:57","slug":"local-assessment-systems-for-personalized-proficiency-based-learning","status":"publish","type":"cw_post","link":"https:\/\/aurora-institute.org\/cw_post\/local-assessment-systems-for-personalized-proficiency-based-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"Essential Components of Local Assessment Systems for Personalized, Proficiency-Based Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is the first post in a series by Pat Fitzsimmons, Team Leader of Proficiency-Based Learning at the Vermont Agency of Education. Links to the other posts are at the end of this article.<\/em><\/p>\n

Local Comprehensive Assessment Systems (LCAS) are essential for ensuring equitable learning opportunities for all students. They have the potential to ensure that each and every learner meets high expectations that are set across all content areas. Since LCAS is one of four levers highlighted by the Vermont Agency of Education for supporting the success of all students, the agency held convenings with educational leaders to refine tools and investigate resources that can improve local systems that support personalized, proficiency-based learning.<\/p>\n

This is the first of four blog posts in which I\u2019ll describe these convenings. The posts focus on rationale and essential components, formative and summative performance assessments, and student-designed performance assessments.<\/p>\n

Engaging Assessments<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is the most interesting way that you have ever demonstrated your learning?\u201d<\/em><\/strong> That question was posed to educators at the beginning of our first Local Comprehensive Assessment Convening. Responses ranged from operating a forklift to riding in a horse show. They demonstrated that the \u201cway you show that you have learned something,\u201d or assessment, can be engaging, relevant to the learner, and provide opportunities for continued growth. How do these compare to assessments that are typically part of our educational systems?<\/p>\n

To get a better understanding of what is currently happening in schools, teams of educators were asked to draw a diagram representing the current state of their assessment system. Many included the screening, diagnostic, and monitoring assessments that are used to determine who is on track for meeting grade-level expectations in mathematics and English language arts and who needs additional support. These assessments are certainly an important component. However, what about:<\/p>\n