Kim's Blog

Authentic Assessment

Now that we have officially rung in the new year, it is time for me to make some new predictions for 2010. And as I look back into my crystal ball, I have 10 predictions for what the coming year will look like—both for Education and content.

What is my second prediction for 2010?

Assessment will become a broader term.

As a result of Race to the Top, states will need to cultivate their creativity and originality to target the different ways that students learn. States will have to pay greater attention to Special Education subgroups like ELL, remedial, and gifted students and truly assess students beyond just standardized testing. Unlike traditional testing methods, authentic assessment moves away from rote learning techniques and instead aims to evaluate students in “real world” contexts. Children who learn differently will have an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and knowledge through a variety of tasks and projects.

To find out my next 2010 prediction for Education, check back next week.