Ahead of the Curve: The Power of Assessment to Transform Teaching and Learning (Leading Edge (Solution Tree)) [Hardcover]

Larry Ainsworth (Author), Lisa Almeida (Author), Anne Davies (Author), Richard DuFour (Author), Linda Gregg (Author), Thomas Guskey (Author), Robert Marzano (Author), Ken O'Connor (Author), Rick Stiggins (Author), Stephen White (Author), Dylan Wiliam (Author), Douglas Reeves (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Leading Edge (Solution Tree) | Publication Date: September 24, 2007

Ahead of the Curve is the second book in the Leading Edge series. The Leading Edge is the undefined space where leaders venture to impact change it is the place where transformation begins. The Leading Edge series unites education authorities from around the globe and asks them to confront the important issues that affect teachers and administrators the issues that profoundly impact student success. The experts contributing to this anthology do not prescribe one method to transact change. They embrace the mission, trusting that teachers and administrators the true change leaders will venture to the Leading Edge to embrace the challenges and opportunities that will guarantee the success of their students.

Ahead of the Curve provides a comprehensive view of the challenges of assessment from a classroom, system, and leadership standpoint and examines the many perspectives of effective assessment design and implementation. The distinguished contributors to this volume support the premise that the fundamental purpose of assessment is not to rate, rank, and sort students, but rather to provide meaningful feedback that leads to improved performance. The authors believe that assessment is most productive when its purpose is for learning rather than for simply measuring it.

•Section 1 explores the issues of classroom assessment.

•Section 2 considers the challenges of system-level assessment.

•Section 3 considers specific assessment challenges for English language learners and special needs students.

•Section 4 addresses the issues of assessment leadership.

The epilogue presents a powerful example of assessment excellence in action.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Douglas Reeves, Ph.D., is founder of The Leadership and Learning Center (formerly the Center for Performance Assessment), an international organization dedicated to improving student achievement and educational equity. The Leadership and Learning Center helps educators and school leaders improve student achievement through practical and constructive approaches to standards, assessment, and accountability. Dr. Reeves is a frequent keynote speaker in the U.S. and abroad for education, government, and business organizations. He is the author of numerous books and articles. Dr. Reeves was twice selected for the Harvard Distinguished Authors Series. He won the Parent's Choice Award for his writing for children and parents and was named the 2006 Brock International Laureate, one of the most significant education awards in the world.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 268 pages
• Publisher: Solution Tree (September 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1934009067
• ISBN-13: 978-1934009062
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #52,482 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One stop for assessment resources, October 20, 2009

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Julie (Michigan) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Ahead of the Curve: The Power of Assessment to Transform Teaching and Learning (Leading Edge (Solution Tree)) (Hardcover)

Educators who are beginning to build collective knowledge about common assessments, grading and reporting, formative assessments, and other assessment topics will find this book invaluable. It is one stop for understanding a comprehensive and balanced assessment system. The great assessment thinkers, from Stiggins and Guskey to Reeves and O'Connor contribute to this work, giving the field a common vision of assessment.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great, October 13, 2011

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Amanda Sunnarborg (OSSEO, MN, US) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Ahead of the Curve: The Power of Assessment to Transform Teaching and Learning (Leading Edge (Solution Tree)) (Hardcover)

This product is great. It came in great timing and the material that is covered in the book is awesome! Thank you

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Resource, September 4, 2011

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Chris Jakicic - See all my reviews

This review is from: Ahead of the Curve: The Power of Assessment to Transform Teaching and Learning (Leading Edge (Solution Tree)) (Hardcover)

This is a great resource for anyone who is making assessment an integral part of their instructional practice. All of the most important experts have provided their best thinking.