Example from the Field: West Side Collaborative Middle School Assessments Lacked Variety Teachers were frustrated Students were unmotivated New Assessments Were Developed Tasks appealed to students’ interests Audience expanded beyond the teacher Students Were Daunted Increasingly complex tasks and professional exemplars proved challenging Students Persisted Personal connection and interest in the material encouraged students to work harder 1

Integrates content + skills Authentic Integrates content + skills

Relevant to real world

Meaningful grading

Builds intrinsic motivation