Designing Standards-Aligned Classroom Assessments

Explore What it Takes to Design High-Quality Assessment

Virtual or In-Person | December 8 or 9, 2026

Design High-Quality Assessments

This interactive workshop, educators will explore what it takes to design high-quality assessments that are truly aligned to what students are expected to know and do. Through collaborative learning and hands-on work time, participants will begin applying key principles of assessment design directly to their own classroom contexts. This session will focus on:

Identifying the characteristics of high-quality assessments, including clarity, alignment, fairness, and instructional value
Designing or refining classroom assessments to ensure they are directly aligned to standards or learning targets, include varied ways for students to show understanding, and provide actionable information to guide instruction
Determining the most appropriate modality of assessment based on the learning target (e.g., performance tasks, selected response, observations)
Exploring ways to differentiate assessments to support diverse learners

Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how to craft meaningful assessments and time to begin developing or improving assessments that support clarity, equity, and student growth.

Event Details

December 11, 2026
9:00 am - 1:00 pm CENTRAL
Zoom Event

Registration Cost

$199/person

Session Recording

This session will be recorded and the video will be available until February 28, 2027.

Becky Peppler

Presenter

Becky Peppler is the Director of the FIRST Education STAGR Center, a division of FIRST Educational Resources. With over 18 years in public education, she is dedicated to helping schools navigate the challenges of grading and assessment reform to create systems that support student learning and growth.

A former 6-12 Instructional Coach and science educator, Becky has played a pivotal role in guiding numerous schools through full transitions to Standards-Based Grading. She has worked with over 100 districts nationwide, helping educators design grading practices that are meaningful, accurate, and student-centered. Her expertise includes developing clear learning targets, designing meaningful assessments, implementing effective reassessment policies, and ensuring grades reflect student achievement rather than behavior. She is passionate about supporting schools in building grading systems that foster deeper learning, meaningful communication, and improved transparency between teachers, students, and families.