FOR COMMENT CONTACT: Brenda Buschbacher
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
(630) 907-5033
October 2003
brenda@imsa.edu
THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST HELPS IMSA DEVELOP PIONEERING STUDENT ASSESSMENT PROJECT
AURORA – The Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (IMSA) is embarking on a project to develop innovative methods to assess student achievement thanks to a $25,000 grant from The Chicago Community Trust.
IMSA’s Assessment Capacity Building Project is designed to build an assessment system that will transform the way schools measure student success. “Most assessments measure a student’s competence with content – how well students remember facts,” said Dr. David Abler, IMSA’s director of curriculum and assessment. “We’re after what we consider more important – a deep conceptual understanding of subjects and a way to measure that.”
The grant will enable IMSA to appoint a specialist in assessment research and development to work with IMSA faculty and staff to create models of assessment that are grounded in current cognition theory research.
“Most educators are concerned about high-stakes tests but these tests don’t tell the whole story,” said Abler. “A system of assessment that takes into account what we know about how students learn would paint a more accurate picture of how a student and an educational program are doing,” he said. “This project is a major part of IMSA’s ongoing effort to transform assessment. “
“This investment from the Chicago Community Trust will enable IMSA to develop and pilot vital student assessment activities,” said IMSA President Dr. Stephanie Pace Marshall.
“We believe this project will have larger implications for the K-12 educational community as it forms one part of our planned work in developing a new system of learning,” Dr. Marshall said.
Since 1915, The Chicago Community Trust has helped hundreds of Chicago-area individuals, businesses, and families manage their charitable giving. The region’s largest community foundation is a union of donations and bequests from many sources. Income from endowments of more than $1 billion supports the arts, community development, education, health, and the essential needs of food and shelter. To find out more about the Trust, visit www.cct.org.
Located in Aurora, Illinois, the Illinois Mathematics and Science AcademyŽ is an internationally- recognized pioneering educational institution created by the State to develop talent and stimulate excellence in teaching and learning in mathematics, science and technology. IMSA's advanced residential college preparatory program enrolls 650 academically talented Illinois students in grades 10-12. More than 17,000 teachers and 26,000 students in Illinois and beyond have benefited from services of The Center@IMSA, the Academy unit that provides statewide professional development and enrichment programs. IMSA serves the people of Illinois through innovative instructional programs, public and private partnerships, policy leadership and action research.