Education Expert Rick Wormeli Dazzles in Popular SDE Assessment Seminar

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Sep 11, 2015, 08:35 ET

PETERBOROUGH, N.H., Sept. 11, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Charting student progress in the classroom can be a major dilemma for educators, especially given the traditional report cards and grading systems. Assessment and grading are top of mind for many educators who are looking for truly valid ways to assess students and report progress. Education expert Rick Wormeli, internationally-acclaimed professional development consultant and assessment specialist, can help alleviate the anxiety surrounding assessment through a practical look at standards and outcomes-based assessment and grading.

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Staff Development for Educators' (SDE) two-day seminar on Standards-based Assessment & Grading: Principles & Practicalities for Todays Classroom, offered this Fall and Winter for teachers of grades 5-12, is designed precisely to help educators learn how to manage evidence-based assessment and grading, using innovative strategies designed to meet common standards and be tailored to students' unique needs.

Wormeli will treat registrants to an engaging, provocative, and practical look at assessment and grading practices through the lens of diverse student bodies, changing polities, and evolving pedagogy.

"Evidence-based assessment and grading are two frontiers critical to your success," explains Wormeli. "Make sure you plan how you can shape the course of education for you and your students."

Wormeli, one of the first Nationally Board Certified teachers in America, brings energy, validity, and high standards to his presentations and instructional practice. A teacher for more than 30 years, Wormeli's work has been reported on ABC's Good Morning America and on Hardball with Chris Matthews, and featured in publications such as the Washington Post, National Geographic, and Good Housekeeping. An exciting and engaging presenter, he is also the author of the award-winning book Meet Me in the Middle, as well as Fair Isn't Always Equal: Assessment & Grading in the Differentiated Classroom, and Differentiation: From Planning to Practice.

"This seminar was created in direct response to the needs of teachers across the country," explains Mia Leonard-Solis, SDE Program Planner. "The content is relevant and necessary, and Rick is highly entertaining and motivating, not to mention an expert in this area!"

Wormeli will guide teachers through the necessary elements for useful pre-, formative, common, and summative assessments that really work in today's classrooms, and working with students who learn differently. The seminar will also address designing rubrics, using grading scales, averaging scores, handling zeros, homework, do-overs, late work, and extra credit.

The thoughtful, research-based solutions provided by Wormeli will help educators develop a principled mindset to determine assessment and grading techniques that create transcripts of true integrity that stakeholders in other schools and districts can trust. Wormeli will teach educators how to focus assessments so that they provide real and valid evidence of what is (and is not) mastery.

"Rick will help teachers tackle how to meaningfully unwrap the standards as they design effective rubrics," Leonard-Solis explains. "With strategies to tier and scaffold assignments appropriately, Rick will also guide teachers on how to make true and significant connections between what they are teaching and what their students are learning.

The seminar is designed for new and veteran teachers alike.

"What to grade, how to grade, when to grade—participants will leave with much more confidence in assessing their students, and they'll enjoy every minute of this entertaining educational experience," Leonard-Solis states confidently.

Staff Development for Educators is America's leading provider of professional development for PreK through Grade 12 educators. SDE believes that educators have the most important job in the world. Through Onsite PD, PD Events, Web-based PD, and PD Resources, the company empowers teachers and administrators across the country with ongoing professional development that is not only research-based, innovative, and rigorous, but also practical, motivating, and fun. All SDE training is presented by the nation's top authors and educational experts, with the goal of creating extraordinary classrooms that prepare students for the evolving demands of the 21^st century.

All SDE events include a free resource book of handouts, lesson ideas, reproducibles, and a free 30-day membership at TeachingMadeEasier.com. With the paid registration of a staff member, SDE extends free tuition to a principal from the same building, and also offers group discounts for groups of 10+ and 20+.

Standards-based Assessment & Grading will be offered in Portland, OR on November 12-13, 2015, Nashville, TN on November 17-18, 2015, Madison, WI on December 1-2, 2015, Springfield, IL on January 21-22, 2016, Joliet, IL on January 26-27, 2016, and Philadelphia, PA on February 23-24, 2016. Educators interested registering for this seminar, or learning about more about SDE's national conferences, upcoming SDE events, or other professional development opportunities, can visit www.SDE.com, call 1-800-462-1478, or email [email protected].