Unlocking Student Success: The Power of a Balanced Assessment System

Within education, assessments serve as a crucial foundation for evaluating student progress and measuring the efficacy of instructional methods. However, the conventional perspective of assessments, often limited to standardized tests or final exams, falls short of providing a comprehensive understanding of a student’s capabilities and journey. In response to this limitation, the concept of a balanced assessment system has emerged, highlighting the importance of diverse assessment tools and methods to assess a student’s learning experience accurately.

A balanced assessment system takes a multifaceted approach, incorporating various forms of assessments, including formative, summative, interim, and performance-based assessments. This approach aims to offer educators a holistic view of a student’s strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement. As renowned educator Margaret Heritage noted, “A balanced assessment system consists of a range of assessments, each designed to serve a specific purpose, and together providing a complete picture of student learning.”

How Immersive Storytelling Transforms Education, Reaches Reluctant Readers, and Enhances SEL

Written by: Du Bui, STEM Consultant for Kent ISD

As a child, I never got into the Dungeons & Dragons craze. In fact, like many people, I associated it with negative connotations. But a senior in high school helped change my perspective on the game.

To explain, I have a side gig for Oakland University’s Center For Autism. I run a video game club that focuses on developing social skills. Additionally, I work as a social coach using the Brain Health Organization’s Charisma Program. As part of the program, I enter a virtual world to help individuals work through challenging situations, such as meeting someone new for the first time or preparing for a job interview. I take on different roles and change my voice to match the scenario best.