Standards-based assessment is an approach to evaluating student learning in reference to predetermined learning standards. Instead of working with a point-based system, where the goal is for students to get as many points as they can, it uses a standards-based system, where the goal is for students to accomplish learning goals.
But what does this look like in the context of a language classroom? How do you design assessments that align with language standards while supporting student success?
This collection of blog posts, broken down into subcategories, dives into the essentials of standards-based assessment in a world language classroom. Whether you're new to the approach or refining your grading practices, these resources will guide you in creating meaningful assessments that reflect what students can do with the language.
Standards Based Assessment
Standards Based Assessment
This post discusses what Standards Based Assessment can look like in the context of a language classroom, where the teacher is evaluating communicative skills like reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Read now »
Performance vs. Proficiency: What Language Teachers Need to Know
This post explores the difference between student performance on assessments and their real-world language proficiency. It also offers strategies to align teaching practices with long-term language acquisition goals. Read now »
What Standards Should I Set for My Language Students?
This post explores how to evaluate what are appropriate proficiency levels for students after different stages of language learning and discusses standards in a standards-based grading model. Read now »
5 Reasons I Love Standards Based Grading
This post explores the benefits of standards-based grading, including clear goals for students and grades reflecting language performance rather than general student behavior.Read now »
Setting up a gradebook
Categories in a Standards-Based Gradebook
This post presents one way to organize a gradebook in a standards-based grading system, emphasizing the importance of aligning categories with language proficiency goals rather than traditional point-based grading. Read now »
How We Talk About Grades
This post explores a different way of describing student performance on assessments: an alternative to a number or letter grade. Read now »
Developing assessments
Develop Assessments That Support Student Success
This post emphasizes the importance of designing assessments that not only evaluate student learning but also promote and support their success. Read now »
Accurate Assessments
This post discusses the importance of designing assessments that accurately measure student understanding and proficiency in language learning. Read now »
End-of-Term Assessments
This post offers guidance on designing and implementing end-of-term assessments that accurately reflect student learning and proficiency. Read now »
Grading and rubrics
How to Grade Reading Comprehension
This post presents an interpretive rubric for assessing reading and listening comprehension in language classes. The rubric evaluates comprehension of words, main ideas, textual evidence, and more. Read now »
Performance Targets
This post explains the difference between performance targets and ACTFL proficiency levels, clarifying how student performance on classroom tasks relates to long-term language acquisition. It includes rubrics for productive assessments (writing, speaking). Read now »
Retakes and Redos: Supporting Student Growth with Compassion and Practicality
This post discusses strategies for allowing retakes and redos to support student growth, balancing grace, fairness, and accountability. Read now »
Formative Assessment
Formative vs. Summative Assessment
This post clarifies the difference between formative and summative assessments in language teaching, highlighting how each serves a distinct role in guiding instruction and measuring student progress. It also offers practical strategies for implementing both effectively. Read now »
Comprehension Checks
This post emphasizes the importance of comprehension checks to ensure all students understand in language classes, providing guidelines and methods to assess and improve comprehension effectively. Read now »
Reading Activity or Reading Assessment?
This post differentiates between reading activities and assessments, emphasizing the importance of purposefully designing questions to either reinforce learning or evaluate comprehension. Read now »
Additional resources
Somos Assessment Launch Pad
Especially for teachers using our curricula, this post provides a digital dashboard with resources on assessment-related topics to support teachers in implementing standards-based assessment with our curricula. Read now »
The Comprehensible Classroom specializes in training related to the implementation of Standards Based Assessment within the context of traditional grading systems and to evaluate student performance through the use of Acquisition Driven Instruction.
Here are four ways to connect with our training:
