Center for American Progress

ADVISORY: Testing and the Every Student Succeeds Act: Toward a Coherent, Aligned Assessment System
Press Advisory

ADVISORY: Testing and the Every Student Succeeds Act: Toward a Coherent, Aligned Assessment System

Washington, D.C. — The newly enacted Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA—which replaces No Child Left Behind—includes a number of key provisions that are aimed at addressing the problems with today’s testing systems in schools. The new law provides an opportunity for states and districts to move toward more coherent, aligned assessment systems that support student learning. There is a risk, however, that states and districts might not take advantage of this opportunity and might instead continue on their current paths.

On Friday, January 29, the Center for American Progress will host a discussion with education leaders from the states and from the civil rights community to discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with testing as the federal government, states, and school districts implement the ESSA. A forthcoming CAP report report looks deeply at these issues, examining the problems and possibilities around testing, as well as providing specific recommendations to help federal, state, and local leaders realize the promise of testing in order to support stronger systems of teaching and learning as they implement the ESSA. Ultimately, states and districts should develop coherent, aligned systems of formative, interim, and summative assessments that meaningfully track student progress throughout the year and ultimately drive better student learning gains.

Follow along on Twitter at @EdProgress.

Media can click this link to RSVP.

Bookmark this link to watch the live webcast.

WHO:
Welcoming remarks:
Catherine Brown, Vice President of Education Policy, Center for American Progress

In conversation:
MaryEllen Elia, Commissioner, New York State Education Department
Chris Minnich, Executive Director, Council of Chief State School Officers
Chris Bergfalk
, Teacher, District of Columbia Public Schools
Michael Cohen
, President, Achieve
George Bickert
, Superintendent, Ruidoso Municipal School District, New Mexico
Janel George
, Senior Education Policy Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund

WHEN:

Friday, January 29, 2016

10:30 a.m. ET – 11:30 a.m. ET

WHERE:

Center for American Progress
1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20005

For more information or to speak with an expert, contact Allison Preiss at [email protected] or 202.478.6331.