Getting Smart Podcast How Can we Unlock The True Potential Of School Assessments? | BB Ntsakey & Kelly Niccolls
Jun 4, 2025
BB Ntsakey, the Managing Director at Blueprint Co. Education Partners, and Kelly Niccolls, the Director of Teaching and Learning at Cheney School District, discuss the transformative potential of liberatory assessment. They critique traditional testing methods for stifling student growth and advocate for personalized, student-centered assessments that recognize diverse strengths. Their conversation highlights how embracing innovative practices can foster a supportive learning environment, empower students, and ultimately improve engagement and achievement in educational settings.
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Kelly's Real Student Experience
- Kelly Niccolls shared how her experience in gifted education shaped her view of assessment.
- She contrasted it with stressful AP testing which caused her to dislike school and reframe assessments as growth tools.
Liberatory Assessment Philosophy
- Liberatory assessment centers on joy, collaboration, and student agency over their learning.
- It eliminates oppressive traditional testing to foster growth as part of community and ecosystem.
BB Ntsakey's Testing Story
- BB Ntsakey recounted his traditional testing experience in NYC public schools.
- He described tests as gatekeepers reinforcing paths where success leads to more opportunity, failure to different paths.