Supporting High School Students Through Assessment: What Have We Learned?

By: Sri Ananda

High school reforms that incorporate industry-valued skills — integrating academics with “real-world” teaching and learning — have led to important lessons for improving student assessment systems. Drawing on that knowledge, this paper addresses four assessment-related questions that need to be considered as states and localities refine and build upon existing assessment systems:

• What is the likely impact of increased high-stakes testing on industry-valued high school programs and the students they serve?
  
• What success has there been in using additional assessments — beyond state-mandated, academic-focused tests — for career-technical education (CTE) and other high school reform efforts?
  
• How can career-related and other SCANS-like skills be incorporated into states’ academic standards and assessments?
  
• How can assessment help support and improve contextual teaching and learning?

After addressing each of these questions based on a review of data and current state practices, this paper concludes with specific assessment-related recommendations to support industry-valued high school reform.