Performance-based assessments are curriculum-embedded tasks that are intended to engage students in applying their knowledge and skills in an authentic and relevant context. Like a cornerstone anchors a building, these assessments are meant to anchor the curriculum around the most important performances that we want learners to be able to do with the content knowledge and skills they are learning.
Performance assessments are set within the curriculum (as opposed to externally imposed); recur over the grades, becoming increasingly sophisticated over time; establish authentic contexts for performance; assess understanding and transfer via genuine performance; integrate 21st century skills (e.g., critical thinking, technology use, teamwork) with subject area content; and evaluate performance with established rubrics.
In this workshop, we’ll apply practical and proven tools and templates for designing performance assessments and rubrics aligned to state standards and 21st century skills. We will also preview excellent Internet resources to support task and rubric design, and consider the implications for instruction.