Modern assessment systems that drive better outcomes for K-12 education

{"theme":"ets-light","enableAnimation":"false","columnDistribution":"1:3","Cards":[{"line":false,"lineColor":"yellow","title":"Measurement for the modern classroom","description":"\u003cp\u003eEducation systems increasingly emphasize deeper learning, transferable skills and instructional coherence. Yet many largescale assessments remain focused on narrow content coverage, static performance thresholds and reporting that does not adequately support teaching and learning over time.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eAs K–12 systems adapt to AI, evolving standards and increasingly diverse student populations, they need assessment tools that:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMeasure both content knowledge and skills\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eSupport understanding, student agency and informed decision making\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eEnsure results are interpretable, equitable and appropriate for use at scale\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n","assetType":"image","imageUrl":"/content/dam/ets-org/corporate/peoples-in-meeting.jpg","contentReverse":true,"formConfiguration":{},"formMessage":{}}],"dataLayer":{}}

{"theme":"gen-xlight","title":"What ETS provides","headingTag":"h2","columns":"3","showSeparator":false,"enableAnimation":false,"enableSlider":false,"contentAlignment":"left","infoCards":[{"image":"/content/dam/ets-org/corporate/performance-based-module-n.png","headingTag":"h2","heading":"Performance-based assessment modules","cardDescription":"\u003cp\u003eETS leads in designing performance-based assessments that go beyond recall to measure reasoning, analysis and real-world application. Our approach balances innovation with strong technical quality, giving educators deeper insight into student thinking while ensuring results they can trust.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n"},{"image":"/content/dam/ets-org/corporate/fair-and-accessible-n.png","headingTag":"h2","heading":"Fair and accessible assessment design","cardDescription":"\u003cp\u003eETS sets the standard for fair and accessible assessment design. We intentionally reduce unnecessary barriers while maintaining high expectations, ensuring every student has a valid opportunity to demonstrate what they know and can do.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n"},{"image":"/content/dam/ets-org/corporate/growth-and-progress-measurement-n.png","headingTag":"h2","heading":"Growth and progress measurement","cardDescription":"\u003cp\u003eETS helps states move beyond one-time snapshots with growth models that emphasize learning over time. Our reporting connects directly to instruction, helping educators take action and ensuring students stay on track for long-term success.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n"},{"image":"/content/dam/ets-org/corporate/ai-assisted.png","headingTag":"h2","heading":"AI-assisted analysis and reporting","cardDescription":"\u003cp\u003eETS combines advanced AI with decades of assessment expertise to deliver reporting that is both powerful and practical. Educators receive clear, actionable insights they can use immediately, while families get straightforward, meaningful information about student performance and next steps.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n"},{"image":"/content/dam/ets-org/corporate/technical-quality-n.png","headingTag":"h2","heading":"Technical quality","cardDescription":"\u003cp\u003eETS is recognized for our technical quality that underpins high-stakes assessment systems. We ensure validity, reliability and fairness at every step so stakeholders can make confident decisions based on results.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n"},{"image":"/content/dam/ets-org/corporate/partnership-driven-n.png","headingTag":"h2","heading":"Partnership-driven solutions","cardDescription":"\u003cp\u003eETS is known for how we partner. We work hand in hand with states, districts, schools and other education-focused organizations to co-create solutions that reflect local priorities. Our collaborative approach ensures that what we design is usable, adaptable and delivers real impact at scale.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n"}],"dataLayer":{},"formConfiguration":{"enableGatedContent":false},"formMessage":{}}

{"theme":"ets-xdark","descriptionContent":"\u003ch3 class\u003d\"heading3\"\u003eClassroom resources\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eWe offer educators proven tools and methods to measure and support learners’ progress.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","enableAnimation":false,"allAccordionsOpen":false,"accordions":[{"title":"Benchmark assessments","accordionContent":"\u003cp\u003eBenchmark assessments help track student learning throughout the school year, enable teachers to adjust curriculum and instructional planning as needed, and serve different purposes depending on when they are given:\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eStart of year — an early view of the skill range of a new group of students\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eMid-year — provide a sense of student progression\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eEnd of year — guide summer learning plans or provide a pre-post assessment for the school year\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eInterim benchmark items can be configured to serve as a “mini summative” that mirror the item type and design of the summative assessment.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n"},{"title":"Interim assessments (Testlets) ","accordionContent":"\u003cp\u003eBrief, scenario-based unit assessments that are administered within one class period. Testlets measure students’ understanding of important concepts within grade-level standards and can be used to target specific learning progressions in mathematics and key practices in ELA at each grade level.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eThese interim assessments can help determine what students understand, where they have gaps and how to build on that information to inform instructional decision making.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n"},{"title":"The ReadAuthentix™ assessment","accordionContent":"\u003cp\u003eFoundational reading skills — like word recognition and decoding, vocabulary and morphology — are essential building blocks for proficient reading comprehension. Students who have well-developed and well-integrated foundational skills are ready to take on texts and reading tasks of increasing complexity.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eOur scenario-based reading comprehension assessment, \u003ca rel\u003d\"noopener noreferrer\" href\u003d\"/content/dam/ets-org/pdfs/k12/readauthentix.pdf\" title\u003d\"readauthentix pdf\" target\u003d\"_blank\" aria-label\u003d\"readauthentix pdf\"\u003eReadAuthentix (PDF)\u003c/a\u003e, gives students a purpose for reading and completing tasks as they work through the assessment with simulated teachers and peers.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n"}],"line":false,"enableViewMore":true,"modal":{},"dataLayer":{}}

{"theme":"gen-xlight","title":"Our research foundations","headingTag":"h2","columns":"2","showSeparator":false,"enableAnimation":false,"enableSlider":false,"contentAlignment":"left","infoCards":[{"image":"/content/dam/ets-org/corporate/learning-progression-n.png","headingTag":"h2","heading":"Learning progressions","cardDescription":"\u003cp\u003eThis research initiative consists of frameworks for assessment that can help teachers better understand what students know and how to move them to the next competency level.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n"},{"image":"/content/dam/ets-org/corporate/cbal-n.png","headingTag":"h2","heading":"The CBAL® Initiative","cardDescription":"\u003cp\u003eThis long-term research and development project called Cognitively Based Assessments of, for and as Learning (CBAL®) is a comprehensively developed model for assessment at the K–12 level that measures teaching and learning.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n"},{"image":"/content/dam/ets-org/corporate/science-assessment-n.png","headingTag":"h2","heading":"Science assessment innovations","cardDescription":"\u003cp\u003eThis research initiative proposes an innovative assessment system that incorporates performance tasks into curriculum and classroom experiences to enhance science instruction and assessment.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n"},{"image":"/content/dam/ets-org/corporate/support-for-student-disabilities-n.png","headingTag":"h2","heading":"Support for students with disabilities","cardDescription":"\u003cp\u003eOur research examines ways we can improve fairness and validity of assessments for students with disabilities.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","ctas":[{"ctaLabel":"LEARN MORE","ctaLabelAccessible":"LEARN MORE","ctaLink":"/content/dam/ets-org/pdfs/about/improve-accessibility.pdf","ctaTarget":true,"ctaType":"tertiary","enableGatedContent":false,"ctaArrow":true,"enableIcon":false}]}],"dataLayer":{},"formConfiguration":{"enableGatedContent":false},"formMessage":{}}

{"infoCardModuleTitle":"Our collaborations bring expertise, insight, responsiveness and new ideas","infoCardModuleTheme":"ets-xlight","columns":"3","enableDividers":false,"ctas":[],"infoCards":[{"infoCardLine":false,"infoCardTitle":"California Department of Education","infoCardDescription":"Delivering statewide assessments for six million K–12 public school students and serving as the designated contractor on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) and the English Language Proficiency Assessments for California (ELPAC). ","cardNonClickable":false,"ctas":[]},{"infoCardLine":false,"infoCardTitle":"U.S. Department of Education","infoCardDescription":"Providing technical expertise in psychometrics, assessment design, content development and data analysis to help state and local educational agencies measure what students know and can do.","cardNonClickable":false,"ctas":[]},{"infoCardLine":false,"infoCardTitle":"Maryland Department of Education","infoCardDescription":"Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program for ELA, math, science and social studies.","cardNonClickable":false,"ctas":[]},{"infoCardLine":false,"infoCardTitle":"Professional collaborations","infoCardDescription":"Developing and administering tests such as the SAT® and the Advanced Placement Program® Exams on behalf of the College Board®. ","cardNonClickable":false,"ctas":[]}],"dataLayer":{},"formModals":[]}