In May 2024, the Assessment for Learning Community gathered in Oakland, California, to continue our exploration of the question: How do assessment for learning practices contribute to learner belonging, equity, and liberation? During this convening, the community chose from two site visits to observe student defenses of learning at Envision Academy and Arise High School.
In preparation for the learning excursions, the community asked a range of questions about the relationship between performance assessment systems and learner belonging, equity, and liberation. Some questions included:
How do these schools provide daily instruction aligned to their graduate profiles? I am curious about how our host schools define "learning equity" as well as "liberation," specifically through the lens of day-by-day expectations in terms of culture and academic rigor.
How can we engage more of our school community to believe in the value and importance of student-led conferences, defenses of learning, and exhibitions of learning for student learning and honoring their identity and unique abilities?
What different forms of defenses can be used that will reflect learning and create equity? How do we create a sense of belonging while pushing rigor and critical thinking?
Storyteller
Marc Hua
Educator
Over the past 20 years, Marc Hua has worn many hats in the field of education - tutor, mentor, teacher, sports coach, cooperating teacher, department chair, instructional leader, and now Numeracy Specialist. Growing up in a single-parent, low-income household of 5, Marc relates very well with students from underserved backgrounds. He is adamant about helping the underserved achieve upward mobility. In his spare time, he loves bonding with his family and being a voracious learner.
Storyteller
Jessica Bernal-Mejia
Mentor Teacher
Born and raised in Tucson. Az a Mother of two intelligent little people, partner to Rene Bernal and daughter to Maria Moreno and Jose Mejia. I am a Mentor teacher in the Culturally Responsive Pedagogy and Instruction Department in the Tucson Unified School District. I taught Culltrually Responsive History and Government at Pueblo High School for 6 years before taking a mentor position. In addition to working with teachers and students I also organize a youth symposium focused on Social Justice and Youth Participatory Action Resreach, call Collaborative Research in Action Youth Symposium (CRiA).
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