Amplify Learner Voice through Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Assessment

Amplify Learner Voice pushes back against traditional assessment and grading practices that continue to be an inequitable endeavor for our nation’s learners; traditional classroom practices continue to sort and label students by characterizing them by "what they need to work on" or ‘lack.'

In this book, eight authors and The Core Collaborative’s partner schools reimagine formative assessment through an asset-based, cultural lens to make a greater impact on learning and our shared humanity.

Presented in an easy-to-read, practical format, with video examples and practical resources throughout, the ‘Amplify Learner Voice Formative Assessment Framework’ identifies and integrates seven culturally responsive and sustaining concepts to shift how educators and learners engage in core formative assessment practices that cultivate conditions where all stakeholders thrive.

• Cultural Identity: How does the assessment experience support students to understand more about themselves and each other as learners?
• Asset-Centered Mindset: How can we create conditions for learners to draw and build upon their cultural funds of knowledge when reflecting, self- and peer assessing, collaborating, and practicing towards goals?
• Dispositional Learning: How do we ensure that students are transferring key habits of learning in and out of school when working towards goals or when faced with challenges?
• Learning Partnerships: How do positive feedback experiences create conditions to strengthen relational trust, risk-taking, and self-empowerment for all stakeholders?
• Learner Clarity: How does the assessment design ensure that learners are challenged at all levels of rigor (surface-deep-transfer) across academic, social, and emotional domains?
• Engagement: How does formative assessment engage students, caregivers, and families personally and collaboratively?
• Criticality: How do we create conditions for self-empowerment to think critically about equity, power, and inclusion?

Dr. Paul Bloomberg is one of the nation's most sought-after school improvement coaches. He is a best-selling author, coach, organizer, public education cheerleader, CEO, publisher, husband, parent and friend. Paul has led multiple, successful school turnaround efforts and partners with schools and districts globally with a focus on advancing learner agency through collaborative inquiry. Paul is the co-author of the best-selling book, 'Leading Impact Teams: Building a Culture of Efficacy', 'Peer Power: Activate an Assessment Revolution' and a lead author on 'The Core Collaborative's' forthcoming book, 'Amplify Learner Voice through Culturally Responsive Assessment'.
 
Paul has worked in collaboration with John Hattie's Visible Learning synthesis of research, 'The Leadership and Learning Center' founded by Doug Reeves, 'Education Scotland', 'Idaho Department of Education', 'NYC Departments of Education' and various national-state-local educational agencies. Paul is former board member for the 'National Parents Union', a network of highly effective parent organizations and grassroots activists across the country that is united behind a set of common goals and principles to channel the power of parents.
 
You can hear about Paul's work on Coaching Conversations with Jim Knight, Conceptually Speaking with Julie Stern and Trevor Aleo, the UK Changing Conversations with Sarah Philp and Billy Burke and more. Paul resides in California with his husband Tony and their sons Alex and Taylor.