Leading Voices Podcast Series Episode 2: Amplifying Student Agency with Formative Assessment

Transcript

At the heart of formative assessment is a belief in the students and the communities that we partner with and their ability as a system to learn and grow. This idea that learning is for all of us is something that’s central to our belief system. That learning is something that we share as humanity — a desire to learn, a desire to grow, and a desire to learn from one another.

In this episode, Nancy Gerzon, Franchesca Warren, and Cali Kaminsky, all experts with WestEd’s Formative Insights, discuss how schools and districts can amplify student agency and identity through formative assessment policies and practices.

Nancy Gerzon is Project Director for WestEd’s Formative Insights team. She has been at the forefront of developing scalable approaches to teacher-led learning and formative assessment. Professional Learning Specialist Franchesca Warren leads work that builds teacher and student capacity for strategic impact and increased agency. Senior Program Associate Cali Kaminsky supports large-scale projects that grow teacher and leader agency through formative assessment.

With host Danny Torres, they explore:

What is formative assessment and how it relates to student agency
The research behind formative assessment policies and practices
How formative assessment looks in the classroom
The importance of diversity of thought in the learning process
Implementation barriers
The crucial role of education leaders
The importance of culturally responsive and sustainable education

Learn more about WestEd’s Formative Insights services.

Supporting Resources for This Episode

Formative Insights Website and Video Collection
Ambitious Teaching and Equitable Assessment: A Vision for Prioritizing Learning, Not Testing
By Lorrie A. Shepard (American Educator, Fall 2021)
Defining Formative Assessment (Brief)
The Power of Evidence Use in Formative Assessment (Brief)
Amplifying Student Agency Through Formative Assessment (Blog)
Digital Learning Modules and Courses (Online Resource)

Featured Guests

Nancy Gerzon

As a Project Director for the Formative Insights team at WestEd, Nancy provides national leadership in formative assessment implementation, with a focus on implementing formative assessment at scale.

Franchesa Warren

Franchesca is a Professional Learning Specialist on the Formative Insights team at WestEd. She has extensive experience in leading cross-functional teams, delivering professional learning for district and state partners.

Cali Kaminsky

Cali is Senior Program Associate for the Formative Insights team at WestEd. Cali leads state and district technical assistance and professional learning to support large-scale projects that expand and deepen teacher and leader agency through formative assessment.