Media Alert: Formative Assessments Take Educators Beyond Traditional Tests

Innovative Program Targets New Ways of Gauging Student Success

For Immediate Release                      Contact: Bill Reinhard, 410-767-0486

Baltimore, MD (February 3, 2015)

Maryland educators will learn the latest methods of gauging student progress during “A Formative Assessment Roadtrip,” a statewide conference set for Feb. 5.  The one-day conference is drawing teachers and administrators from across the state to learn different methods of assessment, all aimed at improving achievement.

Formative Assessment is a process used by teachers and students during instruction that provides immediate feedback.  Under Formative Assessment, teachers can adjust instructional techniques as necessary to strengthen the learning process.

State Superintendent of Schools Lillian M. Lowery will kick off the conference with opening remarks.  Margaret Heritage, Assistant Director for Professional Development at the National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards, and Student Testing (CRESST) at UCLA, will keynote the conference. Her current work at CRESST focuses on data use for school improvement, including formative assessment, and is published widely on the subject.

WHO:   State Superintendent of Schools Lillian Lowery
             Margaret Heritage, National Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards,
                   and Student Testing
              Educators from Maryland’s local school systems

WHAT:   A Formative Assessment Roadtrip: Integrating New Strategies for the Classroom

WHEN:  9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
              Thursday, February 5
               (Note: Dr. Lowery will address the meeting at 9:30 a.m.; Dr. Heritage’s keynote will                  begin at 10:20 a.m.)

WHERE: Union Ballroom
                UMBC
                1000 Hilltop Circle
                 Halethorpe, Maryland 21227

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