Shaped

A community-driven blog supporting educators, building lifelong learners, and shaping the future of education.* 

 

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Students wearing headphones use tablets during a fluency activity in the classroom.

Oral Reading Fluency Assessment: Optimizing Instruction

Providing an oral reading fluency assessment is an important part of not just providing oral reading fluency instruction but measuring growth and ensuring effective instruction.

Dr. Amy Endo
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Language & Literacy

Students work independently on laptops during a classroom activity

What Is the Purpose of Summative Assessment in Education? 

To better understand what is arguably the more contentious of student assessments, we take a deep dive into the question: What is the purpose of summative assessment in education?

Dr. Vytas Laitusis
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Math

Two students write in notebooks at a classroom desk

What Is an Exit Ticket in School?: Checking Student Understanding

This article answers the question, “What is an exit ticket in school?” Plus, learn why this formative assessment type is important in the classroom.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Teacher checks student understanding during a small-group lesson

What Are Different Types of Formative Assessment?

Find out more about the different types of formative assessment that help assess student progress during learning in the classroom

Amber Silverman
Shaped Contributor

How to Use Data to Drive Instruction in the Classroom

How to Use Data to Drive Instruction in the Classroom

Get expert-backed strategies on how to use data to drive instruction in the classroom.

Dr. Stephan Knobloch
Sr. Director Academic Planning & Analytics, HMH

Student on laptop

Science Formative Assessment: Assessing with Purpose

Dynamic science formative assessment engages students and promotes their thinking; additionally, it informs instruction for educators.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

Student works on a math assessment using a tablet in class

Math Diagnostic Assessment: What It Is and How to Use It

Math diagnostic assessment is defined, explained, and compared to other types of assessment, such as formative assessment and summative assessment.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Dr. Vytas Laitusis
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Math

Student talks with a teacher while holding a tablet in class

What Is the Purpose of Formative Assessment? A Look at the Process of Monitoring Student Growth

Here, we break down the answer to the frequently asked question: What is the purpose of formative assessment?

Dr. Vytas Laitusis
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Math

A teacher reviews information on a tablet while sitting at a desk in a classroom.

What Is Data-Driven Instruction in Education?

For improved student outcomes, start with an answer to the question, “What is data-driven instruction in education?” Here, we break down this formidable instructional approach that meets learners where they are in real time and accelerates their growth.

Michael J. Bolz, PhD
Principal Learning Experience Designer, HMH

Vidya Madhavan
Learning Scientist, HMH

Students work on laptops during a class assessment

Formal vs. Informal Assessments: Similarities and Differences

Explore the difference between formal vs. informal assessment, including definitions, affordances, limitations, and examples.

Michael J. Bolz, PhD
Principal Learning Experience Designer, HMH

Beth Anne Broxterman
Science Assessment Manager, Assessment Solutions & Design, HMH

Student takes a digital reading comprehension assessment on a laptop

5 Reading Comprehension Assessment Strategies

Discover quick and simple reading comprehension assessment strategies that can be seamlessly incorporated into a lesson.

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

Dr. Vytas Laitusis
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Math

Students complete formative assessment in social studies

8 Formative Assessments for Social Studies

Choose the formative assessments for social studies that work best for your classroom to improve student learning.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor

A student completes an assessment using a tablet and paper materials.

The 3 Different Types of Assessment in Education

There are three different types of assessments in education that serve different purposes depending on when they are administered: diagnostic, formative, and summative.

HMH Staff

A teacher looks on as a student completes an activity outdoors.

Math Formative Assessment Examples

This article discusses different math formative assessment examples to inform both your teaching and your students' learning.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Educator and student use a tablet for individualized instruction

Using Data to Individualize Instruction

Find out ways to use data to individualize instruction for special education students.

Dr. Suzanne Jimenez
Director of Academic Planning and Data Analytics at HMH

Teacher reviews a student growth report on a tablet in class

Formative vs. Summative Assessment in the Classroom

Learn the difference between formative assessment vs. summative assessment and find examples of the different types of assessment.

Jennifer Prescott
Shaped Contributor

Students participate in hands-on math instruction with educator

Teaching with Math Exit Tickets

If you are looking for a flexible and quick way to incorporate assessment into your math classroom, math exit tickets may be your answer.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

A teacher works one-on-one with a student in a classroom.

Formative Reading Assessment & Usable Data

Formative reading assessments measure what students have learned so far—and the data help inform teachers’ instruction.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Dr. Amy Endo
Education Research Director, Supplemental & Intervention Language & Literacy

Renee Behring
Education Research Director, Core ELA

Dr. Terry Salinger
Institute Fellow and Chief Scientist for Literacy Research, American Institutes for Research