Softening the Edges: Assessment Practices That Honor K-12 Teachers and Learners, Feb/2017

Discover the difference between soft edges and hard edges regarding alignment between students’ and teachers’ needs and the assessment practices that are meant to meet them. This book asserts that assessment must have soft edges, smoothly guiding students through their learning and engaging them so their confidence grows and their experiences are positive and relevant.

1. Understand the language of assessment and softened assessment edges.
2. Spot the indicators of hard and soft edges in classroom practices.
3. Learn how to educate for the whole student to meet students’ cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and ethical development needs.
4. Examine the importance of a learning continuum.
5. Visualize the qualities of a shared space that supports students’ and teachers’ learning

About The Author:

Katie White is coordinator of learning for the North East School Division in Saskatchewan, Canada. With more than 20 years in education, she has been an administrator, a learning coach, and a K–12 classroom teacher.

Katie was an integral part of her school division’s multiyear journey through renewed curricula and standards-based assessment and reporting. She helps develop and utilize strong assessment and grading practices that support teaching and learning in classrooms. Her focus is on helping educators develop a personalized understanding of the connections between curriculum, assessment, and instruction.

In 2013, Katie consulted with the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation to develop the assessment and instructional support document Archery in Saskatchewan Schools. She has also helped develop multiple supports for facilitators of school-based professional learning.

She received a bachelor of education and master of education in curriculum studies from the University of Saskatchewan.