Courses in Assessment for Educators

National and state education assessment landscapes have grown in significance with data informing major education, accountability and investment decisions. Arguably more important, is the use of assessment and evidence at school level to inform teaching and improve learning outcomes.

The education community has identified an urgent need to develop teachers’ professional practice in these areas. This imperative is made more compelling by recent reports* which link professional learning, quality teaching including assessment practices, and improved student outcomes.

Click on the educational resource link or the resource date of your choice to register or register and pay.

Teachers, Leading others, Leading school:

Teacher professional learning online modules - Assessment and Data Literacy

Each module takes 4 - 6 hours to complete.

Cost: $300 or $270 discounted for sector and union members.

Assessment Literacy modules

Modern assessment theory and related terminology (5.1.2)
Constructing selected response items including Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (5.1.2)
Constructing extended response and performance tasks (5.1.2)
Writing analytic and holistic rubrics (5.1.2, 5.2.2, 5.4.2)
Evaluate the functioning of classroom assessment tasks and tests & examine the impact of feedback on learning (5.1.2, 5.2.2)
Exploring the role of moderation and reporting in classroom assessment (5.3.2, 5.5.2)

Data Literacy modules

Data types & sources and conceptualising a Framework (5.1.2, 5.4.2, 5.5.2)

Teachers online masterclasses

Each masterclass is scheduled between 3.30pm and 5pm.

Cost: $120 per teacher or $460 per Catholic Schools NSW school.

It is advisable to complete the corresponding professional learning (PL) online module beforehand.

Selected response and short-answer items (5.1)

(Prerequisite PL modules 2 and 1 if possible)

Time	This masterclass includes:
3.30-4.30pm	Considering the relationship between Bloom’s Taxonomy and writing selected response items Considering some NAPLAN items to ascertain the extent to which they are assessing HOTS Evaluating the success (validity) of HOTS items Demonstrating ways that HOTS may be used in formative and summative assessments Promulgating a planning approach for moving schools towards shared goals in HOTS assessment
4.30-5pm	Discussion

Time

This masterclass includes:

3.30-4.30pm

Considering the relationship between Bloom’s Taxonomy and writing selected response items
Considering some NAPLAN items to ascertain the extent to which they are assessing HOTS
Evaluating the success (validity) of HOTS items
Demonstrating ways that HOTS may be used in formative and summative assessments
Promulgating a planning approach for moving schools towards shared goals in HOTS assessment

4.30-5pm

Discussion

Extended response, performance tasks, and rubrics (5.1)

(Prerequisite PL modules 3, 4 and 1 if possible)

Time	This masterclass includes:
3.30-4.30pm	Constructing and using extended-response and performance-based items for the assessments associated with a range of educational purposes related to student learning (including Higher Order Thinking Skills - HOTS) Developing analytic and holistic rubrics for such items/tasks Exploring a process for identifying for your school: where you are now; where you want to be; and, how you might get there
4.30-5pm	Discussion

Classroom assessment tasks & tests (5.1)

(Prerequisite PL modules 5 and 1 if possible)

Time	This masterclass includes:
3.30-4.30pm	Why appraising classroom assessments is important Assessment validity to generate evidence The interaction between student and assessments Analysing test and task level examples Identifying 3 key questions for your school
4.30-5pm	Discussion

Formative Assessment and Feedback (5.2)

(Prerequisite PL modules 5 and 1 if possible)

Time	This masterclass includes:
3.30-4.30pm	Defining formative assessment and effective feedback The value of formative assessment for teachers Considering some issues and initiatives in formative assessment Understanding the role of effective feedback in formative assessment Reviewing current practices Identifying 3 key questions for your school
4.30-5pm	Discussion

Moderation and reporting (5.3, 5.5)

(Prerequisite PL modules 6 and 1 if possible)

Time	This masterclass includes:
3.30-4.30pm	Reviewing the terminology and issues surrounding moderation and comparability at the classroom and school-level Revisiting moderation in a standards-referenced environment Considering some of the techniques that might be used to moderate assessments across different classes and (academic and calendar) years Identifying the type of evidence that might be collected to support the claims of comparability Exploring ways of making comparable the results in A to E reporting Considering ways to work out where schools are in terms of their moderation activities now; where they want to be; and, how to get there
4.30-5pm	Discussion

Time

This masterclass includes:

3.30-4.30pm

Reviewing the terminology and issues surrounding moderation and comparability at the classroom and school-level
Revisiting moderation in a standards-referenced environment
Considering some of the techniques that might be used to moderate assessments across different classes and (academic and calendar) years
Identifying the type of evidence that might be collected to support the claims of comparability
Exploring ways of making comparable the results in A to E reporting
Considering ways to work out where schools are in terms of their moderation activities now; where they want to be; and, how to get there

4.30-5pm

Discussion

School leaders online masterclasses

Each masterclass is scheduled between 3.30pm and 5pm.

Cost: $120.

Planning & evaluation – moving beyond the obvious when measuring success

Time	This masterclass includes:
3.30-4.30pm	What schools are expected to address and what is reported Discussion of what principals value A common approach to building a measurement scale Measuring performance against the scale Measurement rubrics Ways that an evidential argument might be built to support the scale Some ways that teachers might assess students to collect evidence of what they know, can do, and value, in relation to what is being measured
4.30-5pm	Discussion

Time

This masterclass includes:

3.30-4.30pm

What schools are expected to address and what is reported
Discussion of what principals value
A common approach to building a measurement scale
Measuring performance against the scale
Measurement rubrics
Ways that an evidential argument might be built to support the scale
Some ways that teachers might assess students to collect evidence of what they know, can do, and value, in relation to what is being measured

4.30-5pm

Discussion

Online workshops

The workshops run from 9am to 3pm. Cost: $200.

No prior knowledge assumed.

Building Analytic and Holistic Rubrics (5.1.3)

Time	This workshop includes:
9-9.10am	Introduction & Overview
9.10-11am	Defining rubrics and measurement rubrics Considering some interesting examples Introducing types of rubrics
11-11.30am	Morning Tea
11.30am-1pm	Building rubrics Locating students on a rubric
1-1.30pm	Lunch
1.30-2.50pm	Two examples of rubrics for non-cognitive skill Identifying 3 key questions for your school
2.50-3pm	Conclusion & Evaluation

Masters degree level units

EDPZ6011 Assessment Literacy for School Teachers

EDPZ6012 Data Literacy for School Teachers

We offer innovative Master of Education units of study delivered entirely online that provide a basic introduction to what teachers need to know and do to assess effectively and maximise learning.

By successfully completing all six Modules in the Assessment Literacy for Teachers course, participants will be eligible to undertake an extension assessment module for an additional fee.

Successful completion of this complete program is equivalent to the University of Sydney postgraduate unit of study EDPZ6011 Assessment Literacy for School Teachers (6 credit point value) and your statement of completion may be used to apply for credit toward a Master of Education program.

By education sector or union

Association of Independent Schools NSW

Growing evidence informed practice, a collaboration between the Association of Independent Schools NSW and the University of Sydney.

Catholic Schools NSW

The professional learning modules below are sponsored by Catholic Schools NSW and free to participating teachers.

Module 1: Assessment Literacy: modern assessment theory and related terminology

Module 1: Data Literacy for teachers

For paid enrolment in additional PL modules, select above.

For school enrolment for a group of teachers in masterclasses, select above.

Centre for Professional Learning – NSW Teachers Federation

Tuesday 15 Mar 2022: Empowering Teachers Through the Meaningful Use of Data and Evidence K-12

Tuesday 22 Mar 2022: Modern Assessment Theory and Assessment Strategies for Higher Order Thinking: K-12

*NSW Curriculum Review final report (Masters, 2020) which describes assessment as a ‘powerful influence’ … on teaching and learning; and the National School Reform Agreement (2019)

Banner image: Photo by Tuur Tisseghem from Pexels.

Teacher professional learning online modules - Assessment and Data Literacy

Teachers online masterclasses

School leaders online masterclasses

Online workshops

Masters degree level units

Association of Independent Schools NSW

Catholic Schools NSW

Centre for Professional Learning – NSW Teachers Federation

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Courses in assessment for educators

Teachers, Leading others, Leading school:

By education sector or union

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Student links

About us

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