Introduction, assessment for classroom learning -- Understanding the varieties of assessment -- Clarifying learning targets -- Unpacking standards and benchmarks; Defining student expectations -- Gathering assessment evidence: Understanding and selecting assessment methods; Written product, portfolio, and project assessments; Designing quality classroom assessment tasks; Creating useful scoring guides -- Making sense of assessment data: Tracking and analyzing results -- Linking assessment to instruction: Revising feedback and instructional plans; Using assessment to motivate students -- Related assessment factors: Rethinking grading practices; Challenges of high-stakes assessment -- Conclusion, an appeal for change -- Appendix: Reflection and discussion questions.;[This book] is a comprehensive guide that shows step-by-step how to effectively integrate assessment into the classroom. Written for both new and seasoned teachers, this ... book offers a practical aid for developing assessment skills and strategies, building assessment literacy, and ultimately improving student learning. Based on extensive research, this book is filled with ... examples of how classroom assessment works in classrooms where assessment drives the instruction. The authors present the Classroom Assessment Cycle - clarifying learning targets, collecting assessment evidence, analyzing assessment data, and modifying instruction based upon assessment data - that demonstrates how one assessment action must flow into the next to be effective. Each chapter details the kinds of assessment evidence that are the most useful for determining student achievement and provides instruction in the analysis of assessment data. While the major focus in this book is on how to design quality performance tasks and scoring guides, the book also provides guidance on setting standards-based learning targets, analyzing assessment data, and using instructional strategies to provide effective feedback to students. In addition, [this text] also covers portfolios, rubrics, checklists, grading practice, and issues of high-stakes testing.-Back cover.