Classroom Assessment
and Grading That Work. Robert J. Marzano. Alexandria, VA: Association
for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2006. Pp. 189. $27.95, paper.
ISBN-13: 978-1-4166-0422-8. TEL: 800-933-ASCD • FAX: 703-575-5400
In this book Marzano provides an in-depth exploration of what he calls “one
of the most powerful weapons in a teacher’s arsenal.” An effective
standards-based, formative assessment program can, he says, help to dramatically
enhance student achievement throughout the K-12 system.
Drawing from his own and others’ extensive research, the author provides
answers to questions such as: What are the traits of an effective assessment
program? How can educators use national and state standards documents as a
basis for creating a comprehensive, topic-based assessment system? What types
of assessment items and tasks are best suited to measuring student progress
in mastering information, mental procedures, and psychomotor procedures? Why
does the traditional point system used for scoring often lead to incorrect
conclusions about a student’s actual knowledge? What types of scoring
and final grading systems provide the most accurate portrayal of a student’s
progress along a continuum of learning?
In addition to providing teachers with the tools they need to create a better
assessment system, this book make a strong case for the potential of such
a system to transform the culture of schools and districts and to propel K-12
education to what Marzano believes can be new levels of effectiveness and
efficiency.
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