Assessment is one of the most powerful tools teachers have—but it's also one of the most misunderstood. Too often, every task, activity, or game is expected to produce a grade, making it difficult to distinguish between supporting learning and evaluating it.
K-12 Math Leaders: Download our free Math Coherence Compass to help your teammates, system leaders, and educators create aligned instructional practices—without adding another initiative. https://makemathmoments.com/coherence-compass/
Not sure what matters most when designing math improvement plans? Take this assessment and get a free customized report: https://makemathmoments.com/grow/
K-12 Math Leaders: Ready to design your math improvement plan with guidance, support and using structure? Partner with us to follow our 4 stage process. https://growyourmathprogram.com
Looking to supplement your curriculum with problem-based lessons and units? Make Math Moments Problem Based Lessons & Units
What happens when we stop asking, "How do I grade this?" and start asking, "What can I learn from this?" In this episode, we explore the critical difference between formative and summative assessment, and why that distinction changes everything. You'll hear why games, observations, conversations, and exit tickets are powerful sources of evidence—not because they belong in the gradebook, but because they help teachers make better instructional decisions. We also discuss backward design, student ownership of learning, professional judgment, and the importance of building coherent assessment practices across classrooms and schools.
In this episode, you'll explore:
- The difference between assessment for, as, and of learning
- Why not every classroom activity should generate a grade
- How formative assessment informs instructional decisions
- The role of backward design in planning meaningful assessment
- Why professional judgment matters more than averaging marks
- How collaborative conversations can strengthen assessment practices across a school or district
- Ways to build a stronger body of evidence for student learning over time
If you're looking to move beyond grading everything and create assessment practices that truly support student learning, this episode will help you rethink the purpose of assessment and build greater confidence in using evidence to guide instruction.
Show Notes Page
Love the show? Text us your big takeaway!
Get a Customized Math Improvement Plan For Your District.
Are you district leader for mathematics? Take the 12 minute assessment and you’ll get a free, customized improvement plan to shape and grow the 6 parts of any strong mathematics program.
Take the assessment
Are you wondering how to create K-12 math lesson plans that leave students so engaged they don’t want to stop exploring your math curriculum when the bell rings? In their podcast, Kyle Pearce and Jon Orr—founders of MakeMathMoments.com—share over 19 years of experience inspiring K-12 math students, teachers, and district leaders with effective math activities, engaging resources, and innovative math leadership strategies. Through a 6-step framework, they guide K-12 classroom teachers and district math coordinators on building a strong, balanced math program that grows student and teacher impact. Each week, gain fresh ideas, feedback, and practical strategies to feel more confident and motivate students to see the beauty in math. Start making math moments today by listening to Episode #139: "Making Math Moments From Day 1 to 180.
