Colleges & universities dropping SAT and ACT writing test requirements
Many colleges and universities are ending the requirement for the writing portion of the SAT or ACT in admissions, favoring writing samples, teacher recommendations,...
Do grades demonstrate the potential of each student?
When we think about school, it’s almost impossible to imagine the experience without letter grades and grade point averages. But does a number, like...
Capturing student learning and growth through competency and portfolio grading
As learning environments become more focused on group work to nurture high-demand skills--like collaboration, creativity, and problem-solving, one of the top concerns is how...
The Nation’s Report Card: What it is, what it isn’t, and how it can...
In April, New Hampshire was recognized as one of the top performing states in math and reading according to the National Assessment of Educational...
Ask why: A four part series exploring traditional practices in education
We all make assumptions about the way learning in school is organized. When we pause to ask why, we can learn from students and...
Guest Post: High School Testing – exploring its purpose and potential
What good is high school testing that does not count towards students’ grades, cannot be used for college admission or placement, and is barely...
NH’s innovative assessment inspires others to explore testing alternatives
New Hampshire's innovative assessment, known as PACE (Performance Assessment of Competency Education), has inspired Louisiana and Puerto Rico to pursue alternative testing methods to...
PACE program helps support learning & gives credibility to testing alternatives
Several districts in New Hampshire have been replacing annual standardized tests with project-based assessments that are embedded into regular classroom activities and support deeper...
On NAEP scores, “proficient” does not mean performing at grade level
The recently released NAEP scores, which measure student performance in terms like "basic," "proficient," and "advanced," do not indicate whether or not students are...
NH Ranks at the Top According to NAEP, but Significant Achievement Gap Persists
New Hampshire remains one of the highest achieving states in the nation for fourth and eighth-grade math and reading, according to a recent report...