One reason (okay, not the primary reason) I haven’t posted in a while is that I’ve been stumped about topics to explore. So, rather than waiting for inspiration, I did what many of us are doing these days—I asked ChatGPT. Here is the question I posed and the AI’s unedited response.
What are five "big questions" that are being discussed in the area of large-scale K-12 educational assessment?
Here are five big questions currently being discussed in the realm of large-scale K-12 educational assessment:
- How can assessments better measure critical thinking and problem-solving skills?
Traditional assessments often focus on rote knowledge and basic skills, but there is a growing interest in creating assessments that capture more complex cognitive skills. This includes developing item types that measure critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, which are harder to quantify but increasingly important for future readiness.- What role should technology play in assessment, and how can we ensure equity?
As digital assessments become more prevalent, questions about access and fairness arise. How can assessments be designed to be accessible to all students, regardless of their access to technology or digital literacy? Additionally, what role can AI play in personalized assessments or adaptive testing, and how can we balance this with privacy and equity concerns?- How do we address the balance between formative and summative assessment?
Educators and policymakers debate the best ways to use formative assessments for ongoing feedback versus summative assessments for accountability. What’s the right balance between these types of assessments to support both teaching and learning without over-testing or creating undue stress on students?- How can assessments be aligned to ensure they reflect meaningful learning standards across diverse populations?
With diverse student populations, how can assessments be culturally responsive and inclusive while still maintaining rigorous standards? This includes making sure that test items are free from bias and reflect the diversity of students’ experiences and backgrounds.- What is the future of standardized testing in the wake of new educational priorities?
With increasing emphasis on personalized and project-based learning, there is ongoing discussion about the future relevance of standardized testing. Should we move toward more competency-based assessments that measure student progress based on mastery rather than time-bound tests? And how do we ensure that these new models remain valid and reliable?
I was pleasantly surprised by ChatGPT’s output, so I’m moving forward with a series of posts exploring these questions. I also will offer my opinion about a path forward. This will take some time because I need to find and read the latest research and positioning documents. I don’t have well-informed answers right now, but I will learn more about the topics raised by each question.
So, expect me to explore these questions in the coming weeks. The first post will explore how well statewide summative tests measure critical thinking and problem-solving skills. I’ll also offer some ideas, taken from the research and positions of experts, about how we can improve the measurement of critical thinking and problem-solving. After that, I will explore the remaining questions in the order ChatGPT provided them.