Formative Assessment for Students with Disabilities

NCEO’s Sheryl Lazarus is the co-author of a resource, Formative Assessment for Students with Disabilities, that was recently published by the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO). Two of CCSSO’s State Collaboratives on Assessment and Student Standards (SCASS)—the Assessing Special Education Students (ASES) and Formative Assessment for Students and Teachers (FAST)—joined together to develop this resource.

This report provides practical suggestions and information about how formative assessment can be used with all students, including students with disabilities. When students are actively involved in their learning, they understand a learning goal, aim for it, and use assessment evidence along the way to stay on course. This report shows how three key formative assessment questions—Where am I going? Where am I now? What do I need to do next?—can be used as a guide for students as they partner with their teachers to produce successful learning outcomes. This resource includes links to videos which show formative assessment in action with students with disabilities.