Podcast - In the Classroom - Episode 22: Navigating Assessments in the ELA Classroom - ELA assessments
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Episode 22: Navigating Assessments in the ELA Classroom

As English teachers, we have a real love-hate relationship with ELA assessments. They are, of course, an important part of what we do as classroom teachers because they enable us to monitor student progress. They are something that, for the most part, students take seriously. But in an English/ELA classroom, it can be hard to come up with ideas for what a meaningful assessment looks like, especially in middle and high school.

In this episode of our Answers May Vary podcast, we're talking all about ELA assessments.

It’s tempting to fall into the trap of over-assessing concepts like vocabulary and reading comprehension because it’s relatively easy to create (and score) these exams, and under-assessing more important skills like literary analysis and writing because these types of exams are harder and more labor-intensive to create (and score).

In this episode, we’re talking all things ELA assessment, from our attempts to prevent cheating to the mistakes we made (so you don’t have to).

We’re Talking ELA Assessments

Here are the details of what we’re talking about. Want to know more? Click the link above and start listening!

  • Provide a variety of ELA assessments: students demonstrate understanding in different ways, so try to keep a balance to allow everyone the chance to succeed.
  • Work in opportunities for ELA assessments that offer an “easy” grade boost, but don’t weight them as highly.
  • Make it a challenge to cheat in your class. Multiple versions within the class for longer assessments and between classes for shorter ones go a long way to stopping cheaters.
  • Check to make sure your test is fair. Students may like to complain any time they don’t get an “A,” but sometimes they have a point. Run through this checklist to make sure you’re providing a fair assessment.
  • How to schedule ELA assessments to be kind to both your students and yourself.

Related Content

Getting ready to design a test for your students? Before you do, check out this blog post for test designing tips!

Lots of our students don’t know how to prepare for assessments in English/ELA. Check out this YouTube video for ways you can help your students get ready for their next test.