How to remove barriers to learning:

• Use graphic organizers like concept maps

• Include special education teachers and leaders in the planning and assessment process

• understand student's individualized assessment needs 

• ensure all students, including those with cognitive disabilities or English language learners with disabilities, participate in assessments

• use technology resources to increase access to all students

• provide learning environments with equal access to learning and that utilize the general curriculum

• Commit to assessment literacy with the knowledge of

  • the means for assessing diverse students

  • accurate interpretation of the results of assessment

  • application of assessment results as a means to improve student learning

Assessments can be:

• summative

• formative

• authentic

usually the more formal assessments are chosen in higher stakes circumstances