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Equitable Assessment and Grading Equitable Assessment and Grading
Assessments are tools for measuring student learning, informing instruction, and reporting on student achievement. In order for these assessment practices to be equitable for students, the assessments need be valid measures of student learning. In addition, grading policies need to be clear and report academic progress, not just mastery of content.
Assessments and grading of MLs need to be focused on validly measuring and reporting their strengths along with their progress towards mastering content and linguistic skills. Formatively assessing students throughout a lesson or unit is important so teachers can gather evidence of content and language learning on an ongoing basis to inform instruction and plan for future lessons. Formative assessments should be scaffolded to support MLs so they can demonstrate their knowledge and skills as they gain academic language. In addition, grading policies and practices for MLs should be easily understood by MLs and their families and include progress towards content and language mastery not just reflect their level of mastery of the content.
SupportEd takes a four-step approach to the formative assessment process to ensure validity and equity for MLs. In addition, we have identified five-pillars for the equitable grading of MLs aligned with effective instruction and assessment practices. For a more detailed understanding of the formative assessment strategies and tools for MLs that SupportEd offers, check out chapter 9 of Unlocking English Learners’ Potential and our on-demand assessment course. You can learn more about SupportEd’s approach to equitable grading by reviewing The Five Pillars of Equitably Grading ELs tool.
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The 5 Pillars of Equitably Grading ELs Infographic
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Books Books
Advocating for English Learners Advocating for English Learners
This book demystifies the techniques of advocacy for ELs, including a shared sense of responsibility for EL success, an overview for administrators with influencing policy and fostering a culture that meets EL needs, and advocacy for ELs’ success beyond Grade 12 —Equipping ELs for life after graduation
Courses Courses
Formative Assessment for Multilingual Learners Formative Assessment for Multilingual Learners
In this self-paced Foundational Course, SupportEd experts share research and strategies for developing and implementing formative assessments for MLs. You will reflect on and refine your approach to formative assessments in your own context.
Webinars Webinars
The Five Pillars of Equitably Grading English Learners (ELs) The Five Pillars of Equitably Grading English Learners (ELs)
Explore common EL grading challenges faced by educators with our new 5 Pillars of Equitably Grading ELs framework. Discuss pressing EL grading topics with national experts on EL education and assessment. Gain practical tools for equitable EL grading that you can implement into your schools immediately.
Presenter: Diane Staehr Fenner and guest presenter Larry Ferlazzo
Articles Articles
The Five Pillars of Equitably Grading ELLs The Five Pillars of Equitably Grading ELLs
Authors: Diane Staehr Fenner, PhD , Sydney Snyder, Jill Kester