1

Using the Assessment Blueprint

November 5, 2010

2

What is it?• An assessment blueprint is a tool to guide

the development of high-quality assessment linked directly to standards-based learning targets.

Bridges the two questions:– What should each student know and be able

to do?– How will we know when each student has

learned it?

3

Why is it important?High-quality assessments:

–Align instruction and assessment• Questions/tasks are tied to learning targets • Students are assessed at the same level they

receive instruction

–Account for rigor and relevance • Depth of knowledge and applicability

4

How is it used?Use an assessment blueprint to:

– Construct or critique an assessment• Ensure each learning target is taught and assessed• Identify the level of knowledge and application

(quadrants) • Determine type of response to measure student

learning (question/task)• Establish the specific details/information expected

in the student response

WORLD CULTURESRUSSIA UNIT

Instructors:Paul Coffin, Pete Kelly, Scott Helms,

Jeff Martin, Pete Meinberg

Learning Targets• Label the geographic regions of Russia. (A)

• Identify the goals and characteristics of Feudalism, Capitalism, Socialism, and Communism. (A)

• Evaluate the economic, political and military systems between selected czars and leaders in Russian history. (C)

• Analyze the causes, incidents, and effects of the Russian Revolution .(C)

• Analyze the causes, incidents, and effects of the Cold War. (C)

• Hypothesize a strategy where the ruling Communist government in the Soviet Union might have prevented the independence movement in the republics. (C)

• Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of economic systems. (D)

Exam

ple:

Wor

ld C

ultu

res R

ussia

Uni

t

Common Assessment Test

Part I: Blank map physical regions/cities identification (10 pts) Quadrant A

Part II: Multiple Choice (15 pts) Quadrant A /C

Part III: Short Answer (2) (10 pts) Quadrant C

Part IV: Essay Question (1) (15 pts) Quadrant C/DEx

ampl

e: W

orld

Cul

ture

s Rus

sia U

nit

9

Now…

• What questions do you have?

• Let’s give it a try!

10

Examples of Blueprint Components

11

Learning Targets (Column 1)

• Avoid broad, nebulous terms:– Students will: learn, know, understand, become

aware of, appreciate, think critically, write proficiently, demonstrate knowledge of

• Examples:– Too vague: Demonstrate information literacy skills– Too specific: Use the Insert Citation feature in

Microsoft Word – Just right: Generate a citation using an automated

citation generator and evaluate for validity.

12

(Column 3 Cluster)

13

RRR Quadrants and Item Types(Column 4)

14

Formative vs. Summative

• Formative assessment is to improve

• Formative assessment includes feedback

• Formative assessment is FOR learning

• Summative assessment is to prove

• Summative assessment includes a score

• Summative assessment is OF learning

15