Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning)

37 - End of Year Assessment Audit (10 Questions Every Teacher Should Ask) 06.07.2026 41min

As a school year is completed, it's natural to reflect on what worked, what didn't, and what you'd like to do differently next year. But beyond lessons, units, and classroom management, there's another area that deserves our attention: assessment. In this episode, Tom and Natalie guide listeners through an end-of-year assessment audit built around 10 powerful questions designed to help teachers examine the effectiveness, accuracy, and impact of their assessment practices. From the quality of evidence we gathered to the role feedback played in student growth, this conversation is all about learning from the year that was. Along the way, we explore whether grades truly reflected achievement, where compliance may have quietly influenced reporting, how students developed as self-assessors, and which assessment routines delivered the greatest return on time and energy. Rather than encouraging a complete overhaul, this episode helps educators identify a few meaningful adjustments that can make next year more accurate, more sustainable, and more supportive of student learning. Before you close the door on this school year, take a moment to learn from the evidence your own classroom produced. The End-of-Year Assessment Audit The Grading Reform Leadership Lab Description Book a Call with Tom to discuss participating in the Grading Reform Leadership Lab Check Out Edsby Destinations Feedback Flow Mini-Course Assess THAT on YouTube! 🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. JOIN HERE CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

36 - Why Self-Assessment Fails (And How Students Actually Learn Quality) 17.06.2026 53min

Self-assessment has become one of the most widely embraced practices in education. We want students to reflect on their learning, understand success criteria, monitor their progress, and take ownership of their growth. But what if we've underestimated how difficult self-assessment actually is? In this episode, Tom and Natalie explore the idea that students don't become effective self-assessors simply because we provide rubrics, post success criteria, or ask reflective questions. Instead, they argue that the ability to recognize quality (what researchers call evaluative judgment) must be intentionally developed through exposure, comparison, discussion, and calibration. Together, they unpack why success criteria often fall short, how expert blind spots can unintentionally create barriers for learners, and why exemplars, feedback, and calibration conversations are so critical to helping students see quality more clearly. Along the way, they share practical strategies educators can use immediately to strengthen students' ability to judge their own work, use feedback more effectively, and become more independent learners. If you've ever wondered why students struggle to revise, self-assess, or accurately gauge the quality of their work, this episode offers a fresh perspective and a practical path forward. The Grading Reform Leadership Lab Description Book a Call with Tom to discuss participating in the Grading Reform Leadership Lab Check Out Edsby Destinations Feedback Flow Mini-Course Assess THAT on YouTube! 🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. JOIN HERE CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on IG Tom on IG • • Natalie on IG

35 - Why Grading Reform Fails in Schools (And What Leaders Get Wrong) 25.05.2026 26min

What happens when grading reform moves beyond theory and starts colliding with real people, real beliefs, and real resistance? In this episode, Tom and Natalie unpack the leadership side of grading reform, the part that often gets overlooked in conversations about standards-based grading, assessment reform, and reporting practices. They explore why so many initiatives lose momentum, not because the ideas are flawed, but because leaders are navigating competing pressures without a fully defensible process to anchor the work. Throughout the conversation, they dig into the realities of leading change in schools: staff pushback, parent concerns, mixed messaging, and the tension of trying to stay grounded while moving a system forward. Tom and Natalie discuss the importance of clarity, credibility, and coherence in leadership, why pushback is not a sign of failure, and how strong assessment leadership requires more than technical solutions. Whether you’re a principal, district leader, instructional coach, or teacher helping shape grading conversations in your school, this episode offers a candid and practical look at what real leadership in grading reform actually requires. The Grading Reform Leadership Lab Description Book a Call with Tom to discuss participating in the Grading Reform Leadership Lab Check Out Edsby Destinations Feedback Flow Mini-Course Assess THAT on YouTube! 🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. JOIN HERE CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

34 - Why Participation Grades Don’t Belong in Your Gradebook (And What To Do Instead) 29.04.2026 41min

Participation grades are still widely used in education. In this episode, Tom and Nat challenge the assumption that participation belongs in academic grades by unpacking a critical distinction: participation may support learning, but it is not the same as learning. Through a candid and thought-provoking conversation, they explore what participation grades often end up measuring: personality, confidence, compliance, and cultural norms, rather than actual understanding. The result? Grades that can unintentionally distort achievement and disadvantage certain learners. But this episode doesn’t stop at critique. Tom and Nat reframe participation as something too important to reduce to a number, offering practical ways to make it more inclusive, intentional, and aligned with sound assessment practices. From expanding how participation is defined to separating it from academic achievement and using it as a tool for feedback and growth, this conversation will challenge your thinking and give you concrete ways to better support student engagement, without compromising the integrity of your grades. While this episode is timely, given the recent announcement by the Ontario government, it was recorded on March 27, before the government's "Putting Student Achievement First Act, 2026" was announced in April 2026. Check Out Edsby Destinations Feedback Flow Mini-Course Assess THAT on YouTube! 🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. JOIN HERE CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X

33 - Interview w/ Jon Asbury, Edsby Destinations 19.04.2026 49min

In this episode, Tom & Natalie are joined by Jon Asbury, co-founder of Edsby, to discuss their new platform, "Edsby Destinations." Previously, Jon was one of the three co-founders of a company called SoftArc. SoftArc built an email and collaboration system called FirstClass back in the 90s that took the world by storm and is credited as, among other things, the first learning management system. Edsby Destinations is a scalable, competency-based assessment and reporting system designed to help K-12 districts and state governments clearly articulate and track what students are learning, where they are headed, and how to get them there. Destinations aligns performance to local outcome frameworks and standards, enabling a student “GPS for learning” with real-time educator visibility into progress against defined success criteria. Teachers, students, and families benefit from clear, student-friendly language, multimedia evidence capture, two-way feedback, and dashboards that illuminate learning pathways at individual, class, and regional levels. Designed for large K-12 organizations and linked with existing SISes and LMSes, it ensures assessment practices scale with transparency and consistency. Check Out Edsby Destinations Feedback Flow Mini-Course Assess THAT on YouTube! 🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. JOIN HERE CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

32 - Why Feedback Fails (And What Actually Makes It Work) 30.03.2026 33min

In this episode, Tom and Nat take a hard look at one of the most celebrated and misunderstood elements of teaching: feedback. While research consistently shows that feedback can significantly improve student achievement, the reality in many classrooms is very different. Too often, feedback is given but not used, leaving teachers frustrated and students unchanged. Together, they unpack five key reasons feedback fails, including the impact of grades, cognitive overload, poor timing, over-directiveness, and the emotional side of how feedback lands with students. More importantly, this episode shifts the conversation from effort to design. Tom and Nat explore what actually makes feedback effective (not in theory, but in practice), offering clear, actionable principles that help ensure feedback leads to thinking, revision, and growth. If you’ve ever wondered why your feedback isn’t getting the results you hoped for, this episode will challenge your assumptions and give you a more intentional, impactful way forward. Feedback Flow Mini-Course Assess THAT on YouTube! 🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. JOIN HERE CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS -Apr. 1-2, 2026 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out (Franklin, TN) -Apr. 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC) NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

31 - Averaging Is Statistically Convenient and Educationally Misleading 16.03.2026 34min

Averaging feels neutral, objective, and mathematically sound, but in the context of student learning, it can quietly distort the story a grade is meant to tell. In this episode, Tom and Natalie take a deep dive into the statistics that dominate most gradebooks (mean, median, and mode) and unpack why tools designed to summarize stable data can mislead us when applied to something as dynamic as human learning. Along the way, they explore the hidden problems of equal weighting, outliers, small sample sizes, and the false precision created by decimals that suggest more accuracy than the evidence can truly support. Through practical examples and thought-provoking scenarios, Tom and Natalie show how averaging can punish growth, hide mastery, and cement early struggles into final judgments. But this episode isn’t anti-math; it’s about measurement clarity. They explore the limited situations where averaging can be helpful and offer practical alternatives for blending statistical summaries with professional judgment so that grades communicate what they’re supposed to: a meaningful and defensible interpretation of student learning. Assess THAT on YouTube! 🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. JOIN HERE CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS -Apr. 1-2, 2026 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out (Franklin, TN) -Apr. 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC) NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

30 - Assessment Literacy Is the Real "Teacher Shortage" 05.03.2026 50min

Across education, we hear constant concern about teacher shortages. On the surface, it seems like recruitment pipelines, retention rates, burnout, and workload are the issues. But beneath those very real challenges lies a quieter, more systemic issue: many educators have never received deep, sustained support for developing assessment literacy. When teachers lack clarity around evidence, criteria, professional judgment, and grading accuracy, everything becomes heavier. Grading expands, decision fatigue sets in, parent conversations feel tense, and confidence erodes. In this episode, Tom & Natalie argue that strengthening assessment literacy isn’t just about improving grading practices, it’s about stabilizing the profession itself. When teachers understand what counts as evidence, how to separate behaviour from achievement, and how to make defensible judgments about learning, workload becomes more manageable, and confidence grows. Assessment literacy reduces friction, restores professional agency, and creates coherence across classrooms and schools. If we want teachers to stay (and thrive) this is foundational work we can’t afford to overlook. Assess THAT on YouTube! 🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. JOIN HERE CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS -Mar. 18-21, 2026 (Tom) EARCOS Teacher Conference (Bangkok, TH) -Apr. 1-2, 2026 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out (Franklin, TN) -Apr. 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC) NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

29 - Lowering the Bar Isn’t Compassion: Rethinking Assessment and Care 16.02.2026 42min

In this episode, Tom and Nat explore a tension many educators are feeling right now: our deep desire to be compassionate in assessment and the unintended consequences that can arise when compassion gets confused with lowering expectations. Responding to student stress, disengagement, and inequity is real and necessary work. But when clarity fades, standards soften, and expectations become negotiable, students often lose the very signals they need to grow, build confidence, and trust the learning process. Through stories, reflection, and practical examples, this conversation reframes rigour and care as partners rather than opposites. Tom and Nat argue that the most humane assessment practices are grounded in clear expectations, honest feedback, and meaningful support, not diluted standards. If you’ve ever wrestled with flexibility, fairness, or how to hold the bar while honouring students’ realities, this episode invites you to rethink what compassion truly requires in assessment. 🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. JOIN HERE CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS -Mar. 18-21, 2026 (Tom) EARCOS Teacher Conference (Bangkok, TH) -Apr. 1-2, 2026 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out (Franklin, TN) -Apr. 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC) NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

28 - AI Didn’t Break Assessment; It Exposed It (and What That Means for Integrity) 02.02.2026 34min

AI has sparked fear, urgency, and a wave of reactionary policies in schools, but what if the real issue isn’t the technology itself? In this episode, Tom and Natalie argue that AI didn’t break assessment; it exposed long-standing weaknesses in task design, clarity, and how we define academic integrity. Rather than framing AI as a cheating problem to be solved through bans and detection tools, they invite listeners to reconsider what meaningful evidence of learning actually looks like in an AI-present world. Through real-world composite examples and reflective dialogue, this episode reframes academic integrity as a design and culture issue, not a policing one. Tom and Natalie explore how clarity, transparency, and intentional assessment practices reduce misuse, strengthen trust, and keep learning at the center. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by AI or unsure how to respond without compromising your values, this conversation offers a grounded, assessment-literate path forward. A.I. Won't Pass this Test Webinar 🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. Join Here CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS -Mar. 18-21, 2026 (Tom) EARCOS Teacher Conference (Bangkok, TH) -Apr. 1-2, 2026 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out (Franklin, TN) -Apr. 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC) NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

27 - The Hidden Cost of Implementation Errors in Assessment & Grading 19.01.2026 40min

When educators say, “We tried that… and it didn’t work,” the conversation often stops there. But what if the problem isn’t the idea itself (e.g., feedback, reassessment, rubrics, or standards-based grading) but the way it was implemented? In this episode of Assess THAT, Tom & Nat explore the often-overlooked distinction between sound assessment ideas and the implementation choices that bring them to life. Through concrete classroom and leadership examples, they unpack why promising practices are so frequently abandoned before they’ve had a real chance to succeed. Taking a coaching-oriented lens, this conversation invites educators to slow down, reflect, and ask better questions before dismissing powerful approaches to assessment and grading. You’ll hear about common implementation errors - surface adoption, misaligned beliefs, missing conditions, and unrealistic expectations - and how refining implementation can restore trust in practices that genuinely support student learning. This episode is a reminder that implementation is not a checklist, but a professional design challenge worth getting right. 🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. Join Here CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS -Mar. 18-21, 2026 (Tom) EARCOS Teacher Conference (Bangkok, TH) -Apr. 1-2, 2026 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out (Franklin, TN) -Apr. 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC) NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

26 - Motivation and Assessment: Designing the Conditions for Learning with Josh Ogilvie 05.01.2026 1h 1min

In this episode, Tom & Natalie are joined by CAC consultant Josh Ogilvie for a thoughtful and energizing conversation about the relationship between student motivation and sound assessment practices. Josh challenges the idea that motivation is something students either have or don’t have, and instead invites us to look closely at the conditions we design in classrooms (e.g., through purpose, choice, feedback, and assessment) that either invite students in or quietly push them out. Together, they unpack common misconceptions about engagement and explore why motivation is often a signal about design, not effort or character. They also dig deeply into physical education as a powerful yet often misunderstood context for assessment. Josh shares why assessment in PE is uniquely emotional and visible for students, how traditional grading practices can unintentionally undermine confidence, and what more human, learning-focused assessment can look like in practice. Whether you teach PE or not, this conversation offers practical insights into how assessment can build agency, confidence, and motivation, rather than compliance, and why getting these details right matters more than we often realize. 🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. Join Here CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS -Mar. 18-21, 2026 (Tom) EARCOS Teacher Conference (Bangkok, TH) -Apr. 1-2, 2026 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out (Franklin, TN) -Apr. 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC) NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

25 - The Ghosts of Grading Past, Present & Future (Rethinking Assessment Through A Christmas Carol) 15.12.2025 49min

In this special holiday episode of Assess THAT with Tom & Nat, Tom and Natalie explore grading through the timeless lens of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Guided by the ghosts of grading past, present, and yet to come, they unpack why grading is so emotionally charged, why change often feels threatening, and how our own experiences as students continue to shape the way we evaluate learning today. From fear-based grading practices to the identity-laden nature of grades, this episode invites listeners to reflect honestly on the stories that live beneath their current systems. Shifting the focus from grading debates to what truly drives learning, Tom and Natalie make the case that assessment (not grading) is the real engine of equity, motivation, and student growth. They explore what happens when assessment is treated as a living process rather than a set of events, and offer a future-focused vision that centres student voice, confidence, and accurate learning stories. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, or system-level decision-maker, this episode provides a powerful framework for starting meaningful conversations about grading and reimagining what’s possible for learners. 🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. Join Here CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS -Mar. 18-21, 2026 (Tom) EARCOS Teacher Conference (Bangkok, TH) -Apr. 1-2, 2026 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out (Franklin, TN) -Apr. 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC) NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

24 - The 12 Days of Assessment: Small Teacher Moves with Big Impact 01.12.2025 29min

As the year winds down and classrooms settle into December’s quieter rhythm, Tom and Natalie invite you to pull up a chair for a fireside conversation about the small assessment moves that make a big difference. Instead of offering another checklist or set of strategies to “add on,” this special holiday episode explores twelve gentle, human-centred shifts, each connected to its day, that bring more clarity, confidence, and calm to both teachers and students. From the One Switch that changes everything to the Twelve Notes of Hope that strengthen partnerships with families, these micro-moves reflect the heart of modern assessment practice: simple actions that transform learning without overwhelming anyone. Across the episode, Tom and Natalie share stories, classroom moments, and reflections from their work with educators. Each of the "twelve days of assessment" offers a tiny gift, something teachers can carry into January without adding to their workload or losing sight of what matters most: meaningful feedback, student growth, and strong relationships. Whether you’re looking to lighten your assessment practices, deepen student agency, or simply end the year with a bit of warmth and inspiration, this episode is designed to support you through the season and into a brighter, more hopeful new year. 🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. Join Here CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS -Dec 2-3, 2025 (Tom) Standards-Based Learning in Action (Austin, TX) -Mar. 18-21, 2026 (Tom) EARCOS Teacher Conference (Bangkok, TH) -Apr. 1-2, 2026 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out (Franklin, TN) -Apr. 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC) NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

23 - Trust the Teacher: Why Percentages Fail and Professional Judgment Prevails 17.11.2025 37min

In this episode, Tom & Nat tackle one of education’s biggest myths: that percentages make grading fair and objective. They break down how percentage systems create the illusion of precision while concealing the true story of student learning. Through real numerical examples and insights from researchers, they reveal how averaging can distort growth, penalize early learning, and undermine teacher professionalism. But this isn’t just a critique, it’s a call to action. Tom and Nat show why professional judgment is not a flaw in the system but its foundation, even within outcome-based frameworks. They share practical strategies for strengthening confidence in teacher judgment, communicating clearly with parents, and helping schools shift toward more authentic measures of learning. It’s an empowering conversation for any educator ready to move beyond numbers and trust the human side of assessment. 🍁 CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. Join Here CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS -Dec 2-3, 2025 (Tom) Standards-Based Learning in Action (Austin, TX) -April 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC) NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

22 - Outcomes-Based Grading & Artificial Intelligence in Education with Danielle Paloposki 03.11.2025 51min

When it comes to transforming assessment, few educators bridge the gap between vision and practice quite like Danielle Paloposki. As a passionate advocate for outcomes-based learning, Danielle helps schools move beyond the chaos of percentages and points toward a system grounded in clarity, consistency, and authentic evidence of learning. Her work challenges the old myths of grading by reminding us that fairness isn’t about giving everyone the same task, but about ensuring every learner has a clear pathway to demonstrate mastery. In this conversation, Tom and Nat sit down with Danielle to explore how schools can make the philosophical shift to an outcomes-based mindset while navigating the very real challenges of implementation and leadership. They also dig into her upcoming CAC webinar, “AI Won’t Pass THIS Test: Moving from AI Cheating to Authentic Evidence of Learning,” where she reframes the AI “cheating” narrative and reminds us that technology can only expose what was never truly authentic to begin with. This one’s all about designing learning and assessment that machines can’t mimic and humans can’t fake. November 15 Webinar: A.I. Won't Pass THIS Test! 🍁CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. Join Here CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS -Dec 2-3, 2025 (Tom) Standards-Based Learning in Action (Austin, TX) -April 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC) NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

21 - The 5 Nuances That Take Formative Assessment from Good to Great! 20.10.2025 32min

Formative assessment is one of education’s most powerful tools, but its real impact lies in the subtle, often-overlooked nuances that transform it from good to great. In this episode, Tom and Nat explore five key moves that elevate formative practice, from designing prompts that elicit the right evidence of learning to interpreting student thinking with precision and timing feedback for maximum impact. Drawing from real examples across math, literacy, science, social studies, and the arts, they show how small shifts in practice can yield big gains in student understanding and ownership. Whether you’re new to formative assessment or looking to refine your craft, this conversation will leave you rethinking how evidence, feedback, and instructional decisions can work together to drive deeper learning. 🍁CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. Join Here CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS -Oct 22-23 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out (San Diego, CA) -Oct 23-24 (Natalie) Grading from the Inside Out (Spokane, WA) -Dec 2-3, 2025 (Tom) Standards-Based Learning in Action (Austin, TX) -April 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC) NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

20 - Assessment Identity with Karley Alleyn 06.10.2025 45min

In this episode, Tom & Nat sit down with Karley Alleyn, a Canadian Assessment Centre consultant and a powerful voice helping educators rethink what assessment can be. Drawing on her graduate research in assessment identity, Karley explores how our personal experiences, beliefs, and emotions as educators shape our approach to assessing students. Her insights help teachers understand why they do what they do and how greater self-awareness can lead to more authentic and equitable assessment practices. Karley shares stories from her Assessment Accelerator program, offering practical ways for teachers to move from assessment frustration to confidence. Whether you’re a classroom teacher, instructional coach, or school leader, this conversation will challenge you to see assessment not just as a set of practices, but as a reflection of who you are and the kind of learning environment you want to create. 🍁CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. Join Here CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS -Oct 22-23 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out (San Diego, CA) -Oct 23-24 (Natalie) Grading from the Inside Out (Spokane, WA) -Dec 2-3, 2025 (Tom) Standards-Based Learning in Action (Austin, TX) -April 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC) NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

19 - Reimagining Final Exams 22.09.2025 34min

Exams have long been a fixture in schools, but too often they end up measuring memory and endurance more than deep learning. In this episode, we challenge the tradition of final exams and explore how schools can reimagine them into experiences that actually matter for students. From case studies and performance tasks to choice-driven assessments, we share practical ways to transform exams into authentic, equitable, and engaging showcases of learning. Whether you’re a teacher redesigning a course or a leader guiding policy, you’ll leave with clear ideas to make exams the most valuable moment of the year. 🍁CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. Join Here CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS -Oct 22-23 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out (San Diego, CA) -Oct 23-24 (Natalie) Grading from the Inside Out (Spokane, WA) -Dec 2-3, 2025 (Tom) Standards-Based Learning in Action (Austin, TX) -April 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC) NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG

18 - Assessing Creativity Without Killing It 08.09.2025 41min

Creativity isn’t a bonus skill for a lucky few — it’s a core competency every student needs to thrive in an unpredictable future. In this episode, Tom and Nat break down why creativity deserves a place in your assessment plan and, more importantly, exactly how to make that happen without stifling student imagination. You’ll learn practical strategies for defining creativity, building student-friendly criteria, and making both the process and product visible. Along the way, they share examples to show that creative thinking belongs in every classroom. Whether you’re looking for small tweaks or a complete rethink, you’ll leave with tools that empower students to take bold risks and produce original work they’re proud of. Assessing creativity isn’t just possible — it’s one of the most powerful ways to prepare your learners for the world ahead. 🍁CANADIAN ASSESSMENT CENTRE Join our mailing list for assessment strategies, new podcast episodes, upcoming events, and all things Canadian Assessment. Join Here CAC on Instagram CAC on Facebook CAC on X EMAIL: info@canadianassessment.ca PROFESSIONAL LEARNING EVENTS -Sep 22-23 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out (Atlanta, GA) -Oct 22-23 (Tom) Grading from the Inside Out (San Diego, CA) -Oct 23-24 (Natalie) Grading from the Inside Out (Spokane, WA) -Dec 2-3, 2025 (Tom) Standards-Based Learning in Action (Auston, TX) -April 9-10, 2026 Canadian Assessment Spring Conference (Vancouver, BC) NEW BOOK FROM TOM & NAT Rehumanizing Assessment CONNECT WITH TOM & NATALIE Podcast on X Tom on X Natalie on X Podcast on IG Tom on IG Natalie on IG