Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning)

In this back-to-school episode, Tom and Nat dive into the often-overlooked reality that your first assessments and grading decisions send powerful messages to students that can shape the classroom culture for the entire year. They unpack how early assessment choices communicate your values, influence student confidence, and either build or erode trust. From designing low-stakes, feedback-rich tasks to avoiding common grading traps, you’ll discover practical ways to set a learning-focused tone from day one. Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned pro, this episode will help you start the year with clarity, intention, and an assessment culture that inspires growth.   PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS September 22-23 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out  Atlanta, GA October 22-23 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out  San Diego, CA October 23-24 (Natalie) Grading from the Inside Out  Spokane, WA December 2-3, 2025 (Tom) Standards-Based Learning in Action  San Diego, CA   NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment   Unleash YES Unleash YES Instagram   CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE   Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG Email: assessthat24@gmail.com    

As the school year winds down, it’s the perfect time to pause, reflect, and refine. In this episode, Tom and Nat walk you through five powerful questions to guide an end-of-year assessment audit—no data deep dives or compliance checklists required. Just clear, practical ways to decide what assessment strategies to keep, adjust, or let go. Whether you’re packing up your classroom or planning for next year, this episode will help you carry forward what works and ditch what doesn’t.   PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS June 25-27 (Tom & Nat) ST Assessment Collaborative Institute  Madison, WI   September 22-23 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out  Atlanta, GA October 22-23 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out  San Diego, CA December 2-3, 2025 (Tom) Standards-Based Learning in Action  San Diego, CA   NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment   Unleash YES Unleash YES Instagram   CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE   Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG Email: assessthat24@gmail.com

In this episode, Tom and Nat continue the discussion about their new book, "Rehumanizing Assessment: Gathering Evidence of Student Learning through Storytelling." This episode takes a deeper dive into how, through various story structures, students can tell the story of WHAT they're learning and HOW they're learning.   PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS June 25-27 (Tom & Nat) ST Assessment Collaborative Institute  Madison, WI   September 22-23 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out  Atlanta, GA October 22-23 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out  San Diego, CA December 2-3, 2025 (Tom) Standards-Based Learning in Action  San Diego, CA   NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment   Unleash YES Unleash YES Instagram   CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE   Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG Email: assessthat24@gmail.com

In this episode, Tom and Nat introduce listeners to their new book, "Rehumanizing Assessment: Gathering Evidence of Student Learning through Storytelling." While subsequent episodes will focus on specific aspects and strategies, this episode is an overview of why they wrote the book and who the target audience is.   PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS June 25-27 (Tom & Nat) ST Assessment Collaborative Institute  Madison, WI   September 22-23 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out  Atlanta, GA October 22-23 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out  San Diego, CA December 2-3, 2025 (Tom) Standards-Based Learning in Action  San Diego, CA   NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment   Unleash YES Unleash YES Instagram   CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE   Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG Email: assessthat24@gmail.com

In this episode, Tom and Nat explore the intersection between assessment and Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Specifically, they highlight five important connections: UDL means designing assessments from the start with flexibility in mind.  Assessment must reflect the UDL principles of engagement, representation, and expression.  Formative assessment is essential—it guides flexible, responsive design.  Clear learning goals allow you to separate the what from the how.  Self-assessment and reflection develop agency and expert learners.    PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS June 25-27 (Tom & Nat) ST Assessment Collaborative Institute  Madison, WI   September 22-23 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out  Atlanta, GA October 22-23 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out  San Diego, CA December 2-3, 2025 (Tom) Standards-Based Learning in Action  San Diego, CA NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment   CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE   Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG Email: assessthat24@gmail.com

In this episode, Tom and Nat play the game "Would You Rather," exploring five assessment dilemmas that teachers and schools often face:   Would You Rather: #1: Allow students to redo assessments right up to report card deadlines, or cut off revisions two weeks early to protect your feedback quality and mental health?  #2: Suppress a student’s grade when evidence is insufficient, or assign a best-estimate level using professional judgment to avoid blank spaces on reports?  #3: Use a single holistic score to reflect overall proficiency on a standard, or break it down into multiple component scores for clarity — even if it overwhelms families?  #4: Prioritize the accuracy of the final report card by using only summative tasks, or include some formative data to recognize effort and encourage student morale?  #5: Give more weight to recent evidence to honor growth, or consider the full body of work to avoid inflated grades from last-minute surges?    PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS June 25-27 (Tom & Nat) ST Assessment Collaborative Institute  Madison, WI     RECENT BOOKS: "Redefining Student Accountability" "Concise Answers to FAQs about Assessment & Grading" "Jackpot: Nurturing Student Investment through Assessment"   CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE   Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG Email: assessthat24@gmail.com

Tom and Nat delve into the intricate world of assessing Project-Based and Inquiry-Based Learning, emphasizing the need for meaningful evaluations that prioritize the learning process. They introduce the GRASPS framework for authentic assessments and challenge traditional grading practices. The conversation also highlights the balance between student engagement and real-world application, tackling the hurdles educators face in innovative teaching methods. With insights on crafting effective rubrics, the episode pushes for assessments that truly reflect student growth.

In this Tom Schimmer Podcast classic, Tom is joined by Gholdy Muhammad to discuss her book, "Cultivating Genius, an Equity Framework for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy."  Gholdy on X: @GholdyM Gholdy on Instagram: @gholdym   PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS   MAR. 5-6 (Tom) GFIO 2-Day Workshop  San Antonio, TX  MAR. 24-25 (Tom) SBLA 2-Day   New Orleans, LA  APR. 5-6 (Tom & Nat) NESA Learning Futures Summit  Athens, Greece   June 25-27 (Tom & Nat) ST Assessment Collaborative Institue  Madison, WI     NEW BOOK Rehumanizing Assessment through Story   CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE   Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG Email: assessthat24@gmail.com

Discover a practical three-year roadmap for implementing standards-based grading tailored to your educational context. Learn about the crucial difference between proficiency and frequency scales in assessments. Explore fascinating cultural contrasts from their travels, emphasizing collaboration and learning among educators. Delve into the urgency needed in restructuring grading practices while encouraging patience and inclusivity among staff. Get insights on balancing academic and behavioral assessments for a fairer evaluation system.

Discover the transformative power of self-assessment in the classroom! The hosts reveal why it's essential for student empowerment and share strategies to navigate early implementation challenges. Learn about innovative methods like using exemplars and tools such as chat GPT to enrich student understanding. Hear how portfolios and data notebooks can drive meaningful reflection and engagement. Get ready to cultivate a culture of growth, as you help students take ownership of their learning journey!