Based on the standards addressed in the team developed lesson, the PLC constructs common formative assessments (CFAs). Key questions:

• How will we determine student mastery? What does the data show?
• What specific assessment tools will we use to assess mastery?
• How often will we assess learning?

ADULT LEARNING

Use formative and summative data to reflect and analyze changes in teacher practices and student learning that relate to the focus of the PLC. Identify resources and professional learning strategies they need to be able to develop authentic common formative assessments and use them effectively.

CPALMS Assessments
Includes a robust collection of standards-based assessments. Drill down through the submenus, or filter a search by audience and resource type, to identify assessments for each grade and subject area.

STUDENT LEARNING

Develop, implement and evaluate common formative assessments. The team agrees to implement the assessment within their classrooms, and at a subsequent PLC sessions they meet to analyze the results.

RESEARCH

Research the use of formative and summative assessments to gauge student learning aligned with team, teacher, and student learning goals.

RESOURCES

Access resources to assist with the development and analysis of student outcomes.

MFAS: Mathematics Formative Assessment System
Tasks and problems in mathematics, Kindergarten through Geometry, that teachers can implement with their students. Rubrics for evaluating responses help teachers differentiate instruction based on students’ strategies.

Integrated STEM Lessons as Model-Eliciting Activities (MEAs)
CPALMS collection of open-ended, interdisciplinary problem-solving activities that reveal students’ thinking about embedded concepts. 

TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION

Integrate digital tools and resources to support process of developing, distributing, and analyzing formative assessments.

Technology Tools for Formative Assessment
Scholastic’s list of online tools for teachers to develop formative assessments and use them with students.