Ahead Of The Curve : The Power of Assessment to Transform Teaching and Learning

Finalist: Foreword Magazine Book of the Year Award
Finalist: AEP Distinguished Achievement Award 2008

This anthology brings the ideas and recommendations of many of the worlds education leaders into one resource that illustrates the many perspectives on effective assessment design and implementation. From involving students in the assessment process to ensuring accuracy and applying assessments to English learners and students with special needs, you will find compelling insights and proven strategies.

Benefits:

• Learn three important ways you can change your approach to assessment to improve student learning.
• Implement a recommended sequence for designing common formative assessments.
• Discover how to design a comprehensive approach to classroom assessment.
• Study the four keys to assessment quality: clear purpose, clear targets, accurate assessment, and effective communication.
• Consider eight guidelines for transforming your grading system to a standards-based system.
• Integrate a purposeful, collaborative approach to data collection and analysis.
• Understand the role leaders play in defining, supporting, and instituting effective practice.

Contents:
Introduction: From the Bell Curve to the Mountain: A New Vision for Achievement, Assessment, and Equity

Section One: Classroom Assessment
Chapter 1: Using Assessments to Improve Teaching and Learning
Chapter 2: Involving Students in the Classroom Assessment Process
Chapter 3: Assessment for Learning: An Essential Foundation of Production Instruction

Section Two: System-Level Assessment
Chapter 4: Common Formative Assessments: The Centerpiece of an Integrated Standards-Based Assessment System
Chapter 5: Designing a Comprehensive Approach to Classroom Assessment
Chapter 6: The Last Frontier: Tackling the Grading Dilemma

Section Three: Assessment Challenges
Chapter 7: The Journey Toward Effective Assessment for English Language Learners
Chapter 8: Crossing the Canyon: Helping Students With Special Needs Achieve Proficiency

Section Four: Assessment Leadership
Chapter 9: Content Then Process: Teacher Learning Communities in the Service of Formative Assessment
Chapter 10: Data on Purpose: Due Diligence to Increase Student Achievement
Chapter 11: Challenges and Choices: The Role of Educational Leaders in Effective Assessment
Epilogue: Once Upon a Time: A Tale of Excellence in Assessment

Editor: Douglas Reeves, PhD, has worked with education, business, nonprofit, and government organizations throughout the world. The author of more than 30 books and more than 100 articles on leadership and organizational effectiveness, he has twice been named to the Harvard University Distinguished Authors Series and was named the Brock International Laureate for his contributions to education. Dr. Reeves received both the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the Parents' Choice Award for his writing for children and parents. His career in professional learning led to the Contribution to the Field Award from the National Staff Development Council. For his international work, Dr. Reeves was named the William Walker Scholar by the Australian Council of Educational Leaders.

His volunteer activities include FinishTheDissertation.org, providing free and noncommercial support for doctoral students, and The SNAFU Review, publishing the essays, poetry, stories, and artwork of disabled veterans. Dr. Reeves lives with his family in downtown Boston. He tweets @DouglasReeves and blogs at CreativeLeadership.net.

Contributors: Larry Ainsworth, Lisa Almeida, Anne Davies, Richard DuFour, Linda Gregg, Thomas R. Guskey, Robert J. Marzano, Ken O'Connor, Douglas Reeves, Rick Stiggins, Stephen White, and Dylan Wiliam.