The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) provides states with a number of opportunities to build better assessment systems that support student-centered learning. This page serves as a clearinghouse to support states and other stakeholders as they explore these opportunities and build innovative assessment systems that produce meaningful and timely information on student performance. Available resources cover the full range of opportunities in ESSA, including the new assessment flexibilities under Title I and the Innovative Assessment and Accountability Demonstration Authority. Stakeholders are encouraged to click on the set of resources below that best aligns to their needs and vision for student success.
A Visioning Toolkit for Better Assessments
The resources in the Visioning Toolkit for Better Assessments will help stakeholders explore new assessment provisions under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and deepen their understanding of assessment models that are now possible under the law. These resources will provide stakeholders with a solid foundation of what is possible so they can begin to engage in conversations in their State about next generation assessment design.
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State Readiness Conditions Briefs
This series of State Readiness Conditions briefs, developed in partnership with the Center for Assessment, provides guidance and tools to help states better understand and leverage the new Innovative Assessment and Accountability Demonstration Authority authorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). While there are a number of provisions in ESSA that states can leverage to build innovative assessments and accountability systems to support student-centered, personalized learning, many states may not know where to begin. These seven briefs will help states take full advantage of the unprecedented opportunity to develop next generation approaches to assessment that transcend the standardized instruments commonly used to evaluate school and student performance.
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Innovative Assessment Survey Tool
The Innovative Assessment and Accountability Demonstration Authority under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) gives states the opportunity to pilot next-generation systems of assessment. Get a better understanding of possible assessment models permitted under the Demonstration Authority with this interactive tool. Your answers will result in descriptions of possible models that meet your criteria. The 15 models in this tool are meant to spur thinking and do not represent all of options under the law.
Take the Survey
Get Additional Support
KnowledgeWorks and the Center for Assessment are available to help states as they explore, design, and implement next generation assessment systems. Contact us for more details.