Pacific Assessment Systems and Services (PASS) Program
Assessment and accountability are increasingly important in education. While content and performance standards set clear targets for student learning, there is a strong need for assessment and accountability systems that complement these standards. Assessment and accountability systems measure how well students are learning, provide teachers information they need to target instruction, and supply policy makers with data that support the educational system.
Purpose
PASS is dedicated to serving the assessment and accountability needs of schools, districts, and states through quality professional staff development, technical assistance, and products.
Services
PASS offers a variety of services:
Consultation
- Assessment and Accountability Systems
- Student Information Databases
- Standards-Based Reporting
Professional Staff Development
- Using Data To Inform Instruction
- Using Data for School Improvement
- Formative Assessment in the Classroom
- Assessment Institute for School and State Leadership Teams
Services
- Alignment
- Calibration
- Scoring
- Data Analysis
- Reporting
Technical Assistance
- Large-Scale, Standards-Based Test Development
- Testing/Accountability Systems Design and Analysis
- Testing Policy
- Testing Students with Special Needs
- Testing English Language Learners (ELLs)
Assessment Principles
PASS is dedicated to the beliefs and practices embedded in the following research-based assumptions:
- The most effective assessment and accountability practices utilize the skills of local educators and other stakeholders.
- Schools improve when assessment and accountability systems are organized around clear learning targets.
- In order to produce gains on accountability, assessments must be valid and reliable measures of what students have been taught.
- Student learning improves as a result of aligned standards, curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
- Accurate, easy to understand, and meaningful data reporting formats are essential.
- Self-assessment improves each student’s understanding of the learning targets.
Partners
In all cases, PASS collaborates with local educators to build up their knowledge and capacity in this area. However, PASS also draws on the expertise of all Pacific Resources for Education and Learning (PREL) staff and of consultants across the country, region, and globe.
Funding
PASS is funded by grants and contracts from external agencies and organizations. Clients include schools, districts, and state departments of education in the Pacific region.
Contact
For additional information, contact Dr. Don Burger, Director, at burgerd@prel.org.