QPA has created four Common Core-aligned performance assessments tasks for English Language Arts that have been field tested in a diverse network of schools in three states.  The tasks are curriculum embedded to provide maximum flexibility for teachers.  Several of the tasks can be used in a variety of subjects beyond ELA as students demonstrate literacy across the content areas.  QPA provides task structure, rubrics, anchors, teacher directions, sample scaffolding materials and alignment to Common Core ELA Standards.  Teachers determine the level of complexity for each task they assign.  Implementing the tasks deepens teacher understanding of the Common Core State Standards and how performance assessments can best support students achieving them.

• Analysis of Media
• Comparative Literacy Essay
• Op-Ed (Persuasive Essay):
• Research Paper

Each task was carefully designed to be aligned with the Common Core State Standards and to be scalable across different teachers and different schools. The tasks have the following components:

Each task has two components: a written product and a presentation.  For the presentation component, students may either communicate orally or create a visual/multimedia product.

• Written Component: Students present their work in the written format that is appropriate to the task (i.e. formal essay for the research paper, op-ed piece or letter to the editor for the opinion piece, etc).
• Oral Presentation: Students present their work orally using their choice or the teacher’s choice of format, including (but not limited to) a debate, simulation, song, short play, panel discussion, or traditional oral presentation
• Visual/Multimedia Product: Students present their work in a visual or multimedia product, including (but not limited to) a booklet, pamphlet, webpage or blog, radio broadcast or podcast, graphic comic, or poster.

QPA's goal is to provide support and guidance while also allowing the teachers to implement the common performance assessment tasks in the way that will work best for their students. Common Performance Assessments provide appropriate structures that will support reliable scoring across schools and powerful conversations about student performance.  

Contact us to see a sample Common Task.

"Regardless of the standards or assessments that measure them, all students should have the opportunity to engage in meaningful work that matters and prepares them for the 21^stcentury workplace. The local level —within each school—is where we must ask: Is this assessment meaningful to students? Does this assessment measure real world skills and knowledge? Does this assessment provide feedback that motivates students to continue learning? The new standards and assessments create a seismic shift in the national assessment conversation. However, the corresponding shift in the achievement of our nation's students will occur only if we use new standards to rethink the intersections of teaching, learning and assessment within each school and classroom, and focus on deeper understanding.   Practitioner-developed performance assessments must be a large part of the equation if assessment is to help all students in the United States achieve prosperity."

Quality Performance Assessment: Harnessing the Power of Teacher and Student Learning to be released in February 2012