Rick Stiggins

Definition

Rick Stiggins is a prominent figure in the field of educational assessment and has made significant contributions to the understanding and implementation of assessment practices in education. His work emphasizes the importance of formative assessment and the role it plays in competency-based curriculum models, advocating for assessment systems that support student learning rather than just measuring it. Stiggins' insights help shape how educators think about and use assessment to inform instruction and improve student outcomes.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Rick Stiggins founded the Assessment Training Institute, which focuses on improving assessment practices in schools.
2. He has written extensively about the role of assessments in enhancing student motivation and engagement.
3. Stiggins advocates for involving students in the assessment process, encouraging self-assessment and reflection on their learning.
4. His work highlights the need for assessments to be fair, reliable, and useful for all learners, not just a select few.
5. Stiggins emphasizes that assessments should be designed with clear learning goals in mind to better support competency-based education models.

Review Questions

• How does Rick Stiggins' approach to formative assessment influence the development of competency-based curriculum models?
  • Rick Stiggins' approach to formative assessment significantly influences competency-based curriculum models by advocating for assessments that are integrated into the learning process. He believes that formative assessments should provide ongoing feedback to both students and teachers, enabling adjustments in teaching strategies. This aligns with competency-based education's focus on helping students master skills at their own pace, ensuring that assessments support rather than hinder learning.
• Discuss the importance of assessment literacy as highlighted by Rick Stiggins in relation to effective teaching practices.
  • Assessment literacy is crucial for effective teaching practices, as emphasized by Rick Stiggins. Educators need to understand how to interpret and use assessment data to inform their instructional strategies. Stiggins argues that when teachers are proficient in assessment literacy, they can better identify student needs, tailor their approaches, and ultimately improve student outcomes. This understanding helps create a more responsive and effective educational environment.
• Evaluate the impact of Rick Stiggins' advocacy for student involvement in the assessment process on educational outcomes.
  • Rick Stiggins' advocacy for student involvement in the assessment process has a profound impact on educational outcomes. By encouraging students to engage in self-assessment and reflection, they develop a greater ownership of their learning journey. This active participation fosters intrinsic motivation and helps students understand their strengths and areas for improvement. Consequently, this leads to enhanced learning experiences and improved performance as students become more invested in achieving their learning goals.

Related terms

Formative Assessment:

An ongoing process that allows educators to gather feedback on student understanding and skills during instruction, helping to adjust teaching strategies to improve learning outcomes.

Assessment Literacy: The ability of educators to understand, interpret, and utilize assessment data effectively to inform instruction and support student learning.

Competency-Based Education:

An educational approach that focuses on students mastering specific skills or competencies at their own pace, with assessments aligned to these competencies.