Your Work Matters

Earlier this month, I attended a webinar with Dr. Matt Burns, hosted by TRL-VA and other chapters in our chapter network. This event began with a focus on understanding NAEP scores and then invited us to consider other forms of assessment that help inform our classroom instruction.

He explained the different NAEP Achievement Levels and argued that we need to be paying closer attention to the basic achievement level because of how it is defined: “denotes partial mastery of the knowledge and skills that are fundamental for proficient work at a given grade level.” To paraphrase, “Knowing that proficient/advanced is the goal, focusing on basic means that the student is typically working at a given grade level. Getting a kid to basic increases a high likelihood of success. Getting a kid from basic to proficient increases success, but not as much as below [basic] to basic.”

One of the most interesting parts for me was understanding the measures on the NAEP assessment. On this assessment, students are given a short story to read and a poem, then answer approximately 7 multiple choice questions and 3 constructed response questions. Looking at the fourth grade data, students did pretty well answering 5/7 questions. On the three constructed response questions, students bombed.

During the webinar, he mentioned “a particular score [on a test] doesn’t predict what a student can do really well due to the nature of how tests are designed” which is based on decades of evidence. And truthfully, we all know this. He went on to help us think about the data we can use to have an impact on outcome assessments like NAEP. Because outcome and summative assessments have a role to play, but it isn't to inform everyday classroom instructional decisions. I invite you to watch it (it's a little over an hour) by clicking below.

​

What kinds of assessments are you using to inform your instruction? An outcome-based assessment like NAEP or state assessments do not provide the information we need to adjust instruction in real time. Yet, we spend much of our energy and focus thinking about these assessments because of the pressures on schools to do so. And we sometimes use other forms of assessment without clarity about the purposes we serve. Let’s break down different types of assessment and how they serve our instructional plans.

The image below (source) is an excellent overview of how assessments are used to inform instruction. If you follow the source link, you'll be able to download a PDF copy.

What do we notice? Outcome or summative assessments aren't on here. The essential assessments we need help us answer clear questions related to classroom instruction. However, as a literacy leader, YOU might not be leading classroom instruction directly. What does this mean for how you support educators in using assessment? Answering questions is the goal, according to Brown & Stollar (2025):

If you are a school-based leader like a principal, the results of your state assessment may shed light on some important information; it can help answer questions such as these from It's Possible (Montomery & Hanlin, 2025):

These questions are from a leadership lens and can impact classroom instructional decisions by moving human resources around to better match the needs of students, informing professional development plans, and other school-wide decisions.

But these questions, while important, will not help our classroom teachers in the midst of instruction. To do that, we must go back to the other three types of assessment. Starting with a solid screener (such as Acadience or DIBELS 8) give us a clear picture of which students require more support in the school system. Once that is determined, diagnostic data informs where the gap exists. It is possible that an additional diagnostic assessment won't be needed if the screener data "can be used to make a first diagnostic match to local intervention resources." (Brown & Stollar, 2025, p. 39)

In the image below (source), we see how these types of assessments work within the instructional plan. We begin with a screener, incorporate diagnostic (when needed) and progress monitoring, then end with the outcome measure.

Which assessments do you use that provide screening, progress monitoring and diagnostic data? Do you have other assessments that you use? What questions do they answer? And are they actually being used to inform classroom instruction? Or are the teachers you support simply giving the assessment, complying during data meetings, and returning to the classroom for business as usual?

Leadership Moves:

1. Use assessments to answer clear questions that inform your literacy work/classroom instruction. Write down the questions your assessments answer.
2. Consider which assessments are essential to your literacy work and which might not be serving your literacy work any longer.
3. Find out how assessments are being used in your system. Are teachers using them? Do they understand them?

What does this mean for me?

As you prepare for a new school year during these summer months, take time to consider what questions your assessments are helping you answer. Which assessments are teachers using to inform their literacy instruction? Create a comprehensive assessment plan that answers clear questions to support your literacy plans for next year.

Recommended Reading:

• ​MTSS for Reading Improvement by Sarah Brown & Stephanie Stollar
• ​It's Possible by Pati Montgomery & Angie Hanlin
• ​The Data We Use (Feburary 2025, Leadership in a Reading Revolution)
• ​Knowing Our Readers (November 2023, Leadership in a Reading Revolution)

Where have we been?

We finished the school year and we've already had Nerf Camp, gone to the pool with our cousin, played with friends, saw the new Lilo & Stitch (I cried the whole time!) and had time with grandparents. ​ Ok, this is what my kids have been doing - I've been taking them to and from these things. I went to see Guster and Barenaked Ladies (if you don't know the band Guster, I recommend the album Lost and Gone Forever, my fav), made time for coffee and drinks with friends, attempted planting some vegetables, and have had some strategic planning time. So this month, while it's been a mix of wrapping up this school year and looking ahead, we've also been leaning into slower moments.

I've been thinking about how this next year feels like we need grace and flexibility. With that in mind, I've decided to offer a new service. Now, you can schedule a 90-minute session with me based on your needs at exactly the time you need it. The types of sessions are listed below.

• Consultation: Schedule time for thought partnership to support decisions or planning for your literacy or instructional coaching initiatives.
• Strategy Session: Develop or refine your plans with specific literacy or instructional coaching initiatives in mind.
• Data Analysis: Bring your literacy or coaching data and let's discuss strategic responsive actions!

For 90 minutes, we will meet and discuss your specific needs based on the information you provide when booking the appointment. The price is $250, paid upon booking the session (special pricing and booking link provided for current/former clients - check your email). Feel free to bring your team! Let's get your needs met at a time that serves you.

​Click here to bookmark the link or schedule a summer session.

​ Would you like updates and early access to my e-book? The Coaching System Assessment Guide launches this fall, but I'm sharing a little bit about the journey with folks who sign up here. Get a head start by downloading the assessment: LRC Coaching System Assessment PDF - Final.pdf​

There are two free resources on the website that are perfect helpful for instructional coaches. The Coaching Conversation Flowchart outlines how a coach might adjust their stance based on how the coach responds. The ATLAS Data Protocol is a resource that applies the ATLAS data protocol to specifics for instructional coaches. Because coaching data sets are unique, we require different data analysis questions. Download them here!

Each month, I'm hosting a workshop for instructional coaches. Each workshop will align with the indicators in the Coaching System Assessment. Watch the recordings by subscribing to my YouTube channel so you don't miss any! ​​ Register for July: Text Talk We will discuss the text: Coaching Heavy, Coaching Light by Joellen Killion​

​

Let's Work Together!

I'd love the chance to work with you/your team. You can explore my services here.

Where can we connect? Bold font shows events at which I'm presenting. ​ 9/29 - Create a Coaching Map | Register here​ 10/8 - 10/10 The Reading League 9th Annual Conference | Learn more here​ ​ Check out my calendar Would you like me to join an upcoming event? Please reply to this email and let's plan something!