A strong assessment system helps schools measure student learning, guide instruction, and provide clear feedback to students and parents. These resources support schools in building balanced assessment systems, implementing standards-based assessment, and aligning assessment with curriculum and learning goals.
An assessment system includes all the ways a school measures and monitors student learning. A strong system includes classroom assessment, common assessments, and schoolwide data that help teachers and leaders make informed decisions.
Use these resources if your school needs to:
Understand what an assessment system includes
Evaluate current assessment practices
Build a more coherent school wide assessment system
Clarify the purpose of different assessments
Link Resources:
Building an Assessment System
Balanced assessment includes a variety of assessment types used for different purposes, including formative assessment, summative assessment, and common assessments. A balanced system helps teachers monitor progress and adjust instruction.
Use these resources if your school needs to:
Balance formative and summative assessment
Develop common assessments
Improve classroom assessment practices
Ensure consistency across classrooms
Link Resources:
Balanced Assessment Framework
Classroom Assessment Tools
Common Assessment Examples
Standards-based assessment measures student progress toward defined learning standards rather than comparing students to each other. This approach provides clearer information about student learning and supports standards-based reporting.
Use these resources if your school needs to:
Implement standards-based assessment
Develop proficiency scales
Create standards-based report cards
Plan a multi-year transition to SBA
Link Resources:
Proficiency Scale Examples
Schools should regularly review assessment results to identify trends, gaps, and areas for improvement. Assessment data should be used to inform curriculum review, instructional decisions, and school improvement planning.
Use these resources if your school needs to:
Analyze student learning data
Identify curriculum gaps
Improve instruction based on assessment results
Support school improvement planning
Link Resources:
Data Review Protocols
Assessment Review Templates
School Improvement Planning Tools
Use of Materials
These resources are provided for AISA member schools for internal school use and adaptation. If you adapt or share these materials, please acknowledge the AISA Small Schools Resource Hub. Materials may not be sold or publicly redistributed without permission.