Curriculum-Embedded Assessments: A Driver of Evidence-Based Instructional Practices

2024 NIET National Conference Session Preview

This year’s NIET National Conference theme is Unleashing Teacher Leadership and will focus on the systems, structures, and best practices behind great classroom teaching and learning. Participants will learn strategies and best practices to strengthen their own instructional skills and lead colleagues in increasing their effectiveness and achieving classroom goals. 

NIET’s National Conference will take place in Dallas, offering hands-on, interactive training sessions that provide time for educators to collaborate and learn with NIET specialists and peers. Our five training strands focus on unleashing collaborative structures, maximizing individualized coaching, implementing evidence-based practices, creating positive learning environments, and bridging early career support. Our team is excited to feature the work of our partners and continue learning together. We are excited to share a sneak peek into one of this year’s conference sessions, Curriculum-Embedded Assessments: A Driver of Evidence-Based Instructional Practices.

Formative assessments help teachers understand students' day-to-day progress, and instructional leaders play a key role in supporting teachers with this crucial aspect of their lessons. There is a misconception that the role of school leaders and teacher leaders is limited to post-assessment interventions. In reality, though, school leaders and instructionally-focused teacher leaders are well suited to provide coaching and support related to the use of assessment at various points within the instructional cycle.

As part of our strand on implementing evidence-based practices, NIET senior specialists Andrea Divine and Danielle Chretien will lead a session called “Curriculum-Embedded Assessments: A Driver of Evidence-Based Instructional Practices.” Together, they will explore how Instructional Leadership Team (ILT) members can strengthen teachers’ understanding and use of formative assessments to propel student learning. This session will prompt a reflection on why leaders should proactively involve themselves in assisting teachers with one of the most vital components of the instructional process and will help ILTs formulate actionable plans to do so.

Participants in this session will: 

Acquire a deep understanding of the various opportunities available for leaders to actively engage with teachers on the topic of formative assessments.

Engage in hands-on opportunities designed to enhance their ability to support teachers effectively in the utilization of formative assessments, covering aspects before, during, and after the instructional process.

Collaborate with their ILTs to formulate a personalized action plan. This plan will be tailored to implement effective coaching opportunities in their buildings, aiming to leverage these opportunities and advance student learning.

We are excited about the learning that will take place at the 2024 NIET National Conference, and we look forward to seeing our partners in Dallas from February 29th through March 1st! Click here for an overview of the five conference strands and look for takeaways on social media using the hashtag #NIET2024.