Embedding Formative Assessment within an Instructional Routine
By David Wees
September 23, 2016
Formative assessment is usually understood across the United States to be a form of assessment of students by teachers used to make decisions about their teaching. However,
as Dylan Wiliam states, this is an insufficient definition if our goal is to improve student learning. Rather than consider formative assessment as just an exit ticket or quiz, Wiliam's formative assessment framework includes
five powerful formative assessment strategies that integrate into teaching.
This formative assessment framework, however, is more difficult to implement than just stapling on an exit ticket or quiz to the end of a lesson. It requires thoughtful planning and can feel overwhelming for people just getting started with implementing effective formative assessment.
Well-constructed instructional routines,
such as those described on the Teacher Education by Design project website, have the potential to provide educators the opportunity to develop formative assessment (or better named 'responsive teaching') practices over time while simultaneously supporting student
learning. All five of the formative assessment strategies outlined by Dylan Wiliam in his book, Embedded Formative
Assessment,
can be embedded within a single instructional routine.
A sample task for a routine called "Contemplate then Calculate"
What ways of seeing this shape do these different annotations represent?
Simultaneously, these instructional routines engage students in learning mathematical habits of mind and having opportunities to play creatively with mathematical ideas. In our project, where we support teachers across New York City with
curriculum and
professional development, teachers have noticed student engagement, use of mathematical practices, and knowledge of mathematical ideas have improved when teachers use instructional routines on a regular basis.
Be sure to check out my session and Dylan Wiliam's session at the
2017 NCTM Annual Meeting in San Antonio:
Embedding Formative Assessment within an
Instructional Routine
David Wees
| Thursday, April 6, 9:45–11:00 a.m., Lonestar Ballroom B, Grand Hyatt San Antonio
The thoughtful use of formative assessment has been shown to improve student outcomes but can be challenging to integrate into practice. Come experience an engaging and flexible instructional routine and then unpack the use of formative assessment strategies embedded within the routine.
Why Formative Assessment Should be a Priority
for Every School
Dylan Wiliam
| Friday, April 7, 12:30–1:30 p.m., Lila Cockrell Theatre
Increased use of formative assessment raises student achievement, but too often implementation focuses on the least effective form of formative assessment-analysis of student data. This presentation explains why, to maximize impact on student achievement, formative assessment requires changing
classroom practice, minute by minute and day by day.