Whether on a competition floor, at an educational fair/expo, or at a recital for the arts, performances provide rich opportunities to witness exceptional talent firsthand. Career and technical education (CTE) prepares students for the workforce. Over the past several decades, educational practices have evolved significantly, with new technology, more emphasis on the role of career identity, and the need to build learning opportunities that involve critical thinking.
However, often overlooked is the importance of authentic assessment, particularly for students with disabilities.
Our premise
CTE offers a critical link between education and workforce preparation, opening doors for learners across a wide spectrum of abilities. Unfortunately, students with disabilities are often subject to a one-size-fits-all approach that fails to recognize the complex combination of strengths and needs that each learner possesses. For instance, a student may excel in analytical thinking but struggle with written expression. Without diverse assessment methods, such a learner may lack the opportunity to demonstrate their true capabilities.
Ace Parsi from the National Center for Learning Disabilities and Susan Lyons from the National Center for the Improvement of Educational Assessment highlighted that access to high-quality, engaging instruction and assessment is frequently overlooked when addressing the challenges faced by students with disabilities. This underscores the importance of providing educators with tools and resources that support authentic assessment of learning.
Spotlight on performance assessment
Performance assessments offer a more authentic measure of skills represented in state standards and individualized education programs (IEPs). These assessments can effectively align IEP goals with student learning measures by integrating skills across disciplines and evaluating student abilities at a deeper level. This approach is especially valuable in CTE, where demonstration of workforce readiness is a key- stone in the mission and programmatic goals of such programs.
NOCTI is proud to partner with the CTE community to advocate for assessment practices that serve all learners, accommodating their varied aptitudes, gifts and learning preferences. This approach enhances students’ educational experiences and contributes to building a stronger workforce.
Key benefits & design considerations
Provide students with opportunities to demonstrate their learning in the real world. Encourage them to showcase what they know and can do in a meaningful way! Varied approaches can accommodate different needs and expand evidence of learning.
For over 55 years, NOCTI has worked to support the use of high-quality performance assessments. Verifying workplace readiness provides learners with important feedback to inform their career preparation. Our approach to assessment has been developed in collaboration with committed educators and industry partners. A few key practices include the following.
- CTE learning labs, simulated workplace environments, and shop areas provide students with disabilities authentic parameters within which to develop and showcase workplace practices and management skills.
- Use of a consistent set of criteria sup- ports a clear understanding of goals. For example, our educator and industry network uses assessment blueprints to plan, monitor and celebrate progress.
- Know what supports are available and work with students prior to an assess- ment event to explore options, guided by their IEPs. Practice self-efficacy in communicating their requests for support.
Setting a course for success with performance assessment
Performance assessments are a powerful instructional tool that can help students be more successful. Students with disabilities thrive when provided multiple and various ways to express and demonstrate their preparedness for work.
Engage learners with a proactive approach, the targets being measured and resources — such as the NOCTI blueprints — available. Students can use NOCTI study guides to get ready and to reflect on what they have learned. The study guides offer practice tasks or jobs that preview the assessments themselves. This work can build student confidence.
Career and technical education opens doors to learning for students with disabilities. NOCTI’s work with CTE leaders, instructors and students reflects a strong belief in the positive power of verifying skills, recognizing achievement and progress, and supporting all learners as they navigate career development pathways.
Kathleen McNally, Ph.D., is chief executive officer at NOCTI.
