Wisconsin Focuses on A Balanced Assessment System

Wisconsin’s focus is on creating a balanced assessment system, a group of interrelated components designed to support the teaching/learning cycle. This system of assessment tools will meet multiple needs of students and educators. One test cannot do everything. One test cannot answer all questions. For instance, summative tests are not created to diagnose an individual student’s needs with respect to their classroom instruction. On the other hand, formative assessments and many interim assessments are designed around the “what’s next” question. The assessment system must also be part of a 21st century system of learning by working together with standards, curriculum, instruction, and support structures to ensure students are college and career ready.

To meet the recommendations of the Next Generation Assessment Task Force and achieve the goal of a new balanced assessment system, Wisconsin joined the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium in Spring 2010 as a governing state.

There are four PowerPoint presentations in DPI’s new RTI Using Data series. The first presentation is intended to be a foundational overview on balancing assessments with data needs. The second presentation explores how to use data to inform instruction. The next final two presentations go more in depth on the topics of using data in specific contexts.

I. Overview: Balancing Assessments with Data Needs (MS Live Presentation) PowerPoint with Speaker Notes only	II. Using Data to Inform Instruction (MS Live Presentation) PowerPoint with Speaker Notes only
III. Systematizing Data Use in RTI System (MS Live Presentation) PowerPoint with Speaker Notes only	IV. Using Data in SLD Identifications Presentation coming soon

Wisconsin Balanced Assessment System Chart - This chart shows the range of data needs along a continuum of assessment choices. This is a new matrix which crosses assessment purpose by data need. It is introduced and explained in Presentation I (Overview: Balancing Assessments with Data Needs) above.

For questions about this information, contact oeamail@dpi.wi.gov

Last updated on 4/11/2012 10:54:03 AM