Consequential Uses of Assessment: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead

There is a long history in education of using standardized assessments to support consequential decisions for individuals and schools. At the student level, for example, assessment results are used as a criterion for grade promotion, diploma eligibility, or college admission. For schools, assessment results are a prominent determinant of their ratings in state accountability systems.

At the 2024 Reidy Interactive Learning Series (RILS), we ask: What do we know about the effectiveness of such practices? How can we promote decision-making that is more likely to produce the outcomes we value and minimize unintended consequences? These questions have never been more important, given the pressing need to address inequities in educational opportunities and to promote readiness for post-secondary success in a rapidly changing environment.   

Honoring the long-standing history of RILS at the Center, we have designed the conference to be highly interactive, with plenty of time for participants to share insights, and experiences, and discuss illustrative use cases with colleagues in addition to hearing from national experts through presentations, panels, and debates. 

Professional community is important to us; we welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences and open our doors to anyone who wants to engage in vibrant exchanges about this topic.