Chapter 9: Innovation In K-12 Assessment: A Review of CBAL Research

The CBAL—cognitively based assessment of, for, and as learning—research initiative creates new knowledge and capability for improving K-12 assessment. CBAL grounds assessment in domain conceptions and principles derived from the cognitive and learning sciences. The purpose of that grounding is to create technology-enhanced assessments that not only measure well, but that have the potential for positive impact on individuals and institutions.

In this chapter, we review the initiative's research and development. The review is intended primarily for assessment researchers and program designers. For the former audience, it offers an example that is arguably rare in K-12 education: a wide-ranging assessment research program intended to advance theory and simultaneously use that theory to create and test models for practice. For designers, the review describes a variety of innovations explored through CBAL projects, the research done to evaluate those innovations, and some of what still needs to be learned. Several innovations are ready for operational use and their applications outside of CBAL are summarized at the end of the chapter.