Do I have to do this for all assessments?
Absolutely not! This style works best for classes that focus on conceptual understandings. It becomes difficult to implement in classes that are oriented around more factual knowledge or right or wrong answers.
Why should I do this if my current tests are working fine?
Traditional assessments work fine for the most part, but they are subject to a lot of potential pitfalls. Try to fold in more constructivist questions into the tests slowly over time if an all out switch seems overwhelming.
How do I prepare my students for this test?
Students can be prepared for this test in any number of ways. Having a specialist come in and talk about writing and written responses is a great way to getting students involved in the preparation. Also having students practice academic terminology on non-academic content helps them build those skills (See Additional Resources).
How does this test work with IEP/504 students? English Learners?
The best part about these tests is how easy they are to accomodate and modify for IEP/504 and EL students. By adjusting the complexity of the question or how many they have to answer, it allows for much greater flexibility.
I don't want to change my tests, but I want to implement this in my class... How can I do that?
This is just an assessment method in general. It can be summative (like the examples given and the process shown) or it can be formative! These question types work in many situations: discussions, exit tickets, debates (in some cases). There are many ways of implementing this style of assessment, outside of summative tests.