Resources

MAC White Papers

White papers generated for and through the Michigan Assessment Consortium

MAC e-Newsletters

The MAC publishes quarterly e-newsletters. If you would like to receive the e-newsletter, contact Kim Young at youngk1@michigan.gov. If you have news to share, contact Ed Roeber, publisher, at eroeber@wisc.edu, or Judy Dorsch Backes, editor, at jdbackes@comcast.net.

MAC Archived Presentations

MAC Archived Videoconferences

Lewis-Cass ISD sponsored a series this year – featuring education reform leaders: Rick Stiggins, Bob Marzano, Mike White and Jay McTighe.  Each presenter was asked to provide perspective about the role of formative assessment in the teaching and learning cycle.  Summaries of those sessions are provided at this link.  Members of the MAC Board provided a wrap up session to facilitate connections across the presentations, provide an overview of MI's conceptualization of the formative assessment process and to facilitate planning for series participants wishing to focus improvement on district assessment practices.

Thinking About Changing your Grading and Assessment Practices?  Why It’s Worth Doing – For Your Students and For YOU!  
Amy Hodgson, Superintendent of Dansville Schools offered how the school district has progressed from traditional grading and assessment to a student-centered, proficiency-based approach that is increasing student achievement.  Learn the step-by-step process of making these significant changes, the pitfalls to avoid and hear stories from students and teachers that will demonstrate why it’s worth it to change your grading and assessment paradigm.
Airdate:  October 2, 2012

Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Update 
Dr. Vince Dean provides an update of Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium activities since his last update in Jan 2012.  Vince provided the latest information on the transition to these assessments expected to become fully implemented in the 2014-15 school year.
Airdate:  September 28, 2012 

Creating Effective Classroom Assessments Webinar
The on-demand event is now available. You can view the on-demand version free for until September 2012. Hosted by edweek.org and sponsored by Measured Progress. 
Related Downloads: Presentation
Air date: Mar 7, 2012

An Update on the SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium
Dr. Vince Dean, Director of the Office of Standards & Assessments, Michigan Department of Education, provides the latest information on Michigan’s participation and leadership in developing a high-quality assessment system aligned to the new Common Core State Standards.
Related Downloads: Q & A Written Responses from the SBAC Update Presentation by Dr. Vince Dean
Air date: Jan 20, 2012

This videoconference is no longer available.  For the latest information on the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, please view the above MAC videoconference, Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium Update (airdate September 28, 2012)

Engaging Teachers in Formative Assessment to Improve Learning
Sara Bryant, Professional Development Specialist from Measured Progress presents an introduction to the formative assessment process and the connection to student motivation and learning. She also provides a framework for the statewide initiative on teacher learning teams and the formative assessment process. 
Air date: Apr 27, 2011

School Leaders Need Love and Assessment Literacy
Dr. W James Popham addresses 20 key ideas school leaders need to know about assessment to do their work effectively.
Air date: Feb 14, 2011

Formative Assessment and Standards-Based Grading
Dr. Robert Marzano, Co-founder and CEO of Marzano Research Laboratory, provides specific information on the benefits of formative assessment and explains how to design and interpret three different types. He also illustrates the necessary change in instruction that must accompany a rigorous formatively based approach to assessment. This videoconference is available through December 12, 2012. DVD copies are not available through Wayne RESA. 
Air date: Jan 31, 2011

Engaging Students in Quality Assessment Practices
Engaging students in the assessment process has the potential of dramatically impacting student learning and achievement. Dr. Tammy Heflebower of Marzano Research Laboratory suggests learning environments and assessment opportunities to make this happen.
Air date: Jan 31, 2011

15 Fixes for Broken Grades with Ken O’Connor
This session focused on the grading practices that can shift – not counting everything, emphasizing more recent evidence, clear standards and positive support for students.
Air date: May 10, 2010

Unpacking Standards: Making the Standard Work for You with Karen Bailey
Karen guided the audience through the process of unpacking standards into student-friendly learning targets, provided strategies for unpacking standards, and shared some resources for teachers to use.
Air date: Feb 24, 2010

Formative Assessment: What It Is and What It Isn’t with Sara Bryant
This session focused on clarifying what the formative assessment process is and isn’t and laid out the attributes of the formative assessment process.
Air date: Feb 8, 2010

Learning Progressions: Supporting Instruction and Formative Assessment with Margaret Heritage
A learning progression is a logical sequence of instruction that may occur over a period of time. For formative assessment to be effective it must be linked to learning progressions that are clear.
Air date: April 23, 2009

The Link Between Student Motivation and Assessment Practices with Dr. Carol Commodore
Dr. Commodore shared ideas how good quality assessments can serve to motivate students’ learning, which in turn can improve achievement.
Air date: Jan 28, 2009

7 Action: Assessment for Learning, the AchievementGap & Effective Schools with Dr. Rick Stiggins
Dr. Stiggins shared seven specific actions that tackle the role of assessment in serving the learning needs of students with multiple issues.
Air date: Oct 8, 2008

Creating Balanced Assessment Systems for Student Success with Dr. Rick Stiggins
Dr Stiggins addressed the importance of a balanced assessment system and the roles of teachers, students, and other stakeholders in the assessment process.
Air date: Mar 7, 2007