Students are taking ownership of their own learning as part of a growing initiative in Dallas ISD.
As part of the Assessment for Learning effort, students are able to describe what they are learning, why they are learning it, and how they will be successful in real time.
“We are helping teachers and students become equal partners in teaching and learning by increasing the opportunities for students to become agentic,” said Kierstan Barbee, Dallas ISD Assessment for Learning coordinator. “When students become self-directed learners, we see increased student achievement, engagement, and empowerment in the learning process.”
For a better idea of what Assessment for Learning practices look like, watch this video below of a student working through a lesson.
Assessment for Learning practices are currently at 11 schools. Dallas ISD is looking to expand this effort to include additional high priority campuses next year and is closely monitoring data to see if these practices could potentially be scaled district-wide.
“When we visit classrooms that are implementing Assessment for Learning, students sound like miniature teachers while the classroom teachers are facilitating the learning, not directing it,” said Arlena Gaynor, executive director for Language, Literacy and Social Studies. “We are excited to see this effort grow and benefit even more students in the future.”
