“Let’s Talk Formative Assessment: Real Time and Ongoing”

Winter Summit

January 29, 2027

Marriott Hotel Jefferson City, Missouri

We know that intentional and purposeful assessment that focuses on mastery learning is the number one researched proven method to push instruction to its highest level. Formative assessment is the key to informed and improved instruction and student achievement. The stakes for student achievement are higher than ever and strong assessment should result in stronger instruction.

Our Opening Address for this event will be Kris Peterson, PhD: National Director of Innovation and Data Insights from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH). Kris hails from Milwaukee, WI and she will share her expertise in the area of formative assessment to improve both direct instruction and assessment question writing. We are excited to hear her ideas and expertise on this important topic.

Our guest presenters will share ideas and strategies about strong Tier One instruction (at grade level learning) as the first defense in moving students forward academically.  Students make their best overall improvements when explicit Tier One instructional technique is combined with the appropriate assessment methods.  Some of the most successful assessment practices we will discuss include:

Well-planned explicit (direct) instruction guided by formative assessments that include student active learning not only during direct instruction, but also during practice and reteaching. Assessment results should have a specific and identified use that targets student proficiency and improved instruction.

Effective use of intentional questioning both during instruction, in practice and with written assessments. We must know how and when to question, what type of questions to use and how to scaffold them. This may include the use of rubrics and scoring guides to focus on the desired outcomes.

Creating assessments that propels instruction to high levels of performance for students to meet proficiency and mastery. The stronger the assessment questions, the more the instruction must rise to meet it.

Join your colleagues from across the state as we share and learn together what we need to know to improve our instruction through robust assessment writing, techniques and practices.

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