At New Tech High School in Napa, CA, we are intentional about providing clarity for students, offering timely and relevant feedback, and leveraging formative assessment to drive learning within projects. By aligning assessment strategies with each stage of the learning process, we ensure that students understand their goals, receive constructive feedback at critical moments, and continuously improve their work. This approach not only supports students in meeting high standards but also empowers them to take ownership of their learning journey in a meaningful, project-based environment.

One of the most common topics of conversation at PBL training: Assessing student work in a PBL classroom. Teachers want to feel assured that their assessment of students’ content knowledge and skill set will be compatible in a Project Based Learning setting. Here are some common questions with responses based on personal experiences from my 26 years as a classroom teacher.

Ruthann Lane a former elementary teacher and project based learning expert discusses the merits of incorporating Standards Based Grading into Project Based Learning.

David Ross, Project Based Learning expert, gives his thoughts on how and when homework functions as a formative assessment.