How Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools implemented district-wide balanced assessment with Formative to master state standards
Resource: Success Story
Build district-wide balanced assessment
See how Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools used Formative to launch short-cycle common assessments, track essential standards, and support data-driven instruction across schools.
Outcome summary
Challenge
Track mastery throughout the year
The district had pacing guides and essential standards, but needed more frequent, actionable data to improve same-year instruction and learning.
Shift
Launch short-cycle common assessments
Teams used Formative to create differentiated 20-minute assessments throughout each unit, with an 80% mastery target for essential standards.
Impact
Teams aligned around shared data
✓All three elementary schools reviewed the same data and questions
✓Monthly PLCs used common data to identify strengths, gaps, and trends
✓Teachers expanded Formative use for quick checks, daily assessments, and practice sets
Who it’s for
1District administratorsBuild a balanced assessment strategy that supports standards mastery across schools.
2Curriculum directorsConnect pacing guides, essential standards, and actionable short-cycle data.
3Assessment teamsUse common assessments to compare progress and adjust support across classrooms.
4Instructional leadership teamsSupport PLC collaboration with shared data, reteaching resources, and flexible assessment tools.
How Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools implemented district-wide balanced assessment with Formative to master state standards
Resource: Success Story
Build district-wide balanced assessment
See how Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools used Formative to launch short-cycle common assessments, track essential standards, and support data-driven instruction across schools.
Outcome summary
Challenge
Track mastery throughout the year
The district had pacing guides and essential standards, but needed more frequent, actionable data to improve same-year instruction and learning.
Shift
Launch short-cycle common assessments
Teams used Formative to create differentiated 20-minute assessments throughout each unit, with an 80% mastery target for essential standards.
Impact
Teams aligned around shared data
✓All three elementary schools reviewed the same data and questions
✓Monthly PLCs used common data to identify strengths, gaps, and trends
✓Teachers expanded Formative use for quick checks, daily assessments, and practice sets
Who it’s for
1District administratorsBuild a balanced assessment strategy that supports standards mastery across schools.
2Curriculum directorsConnect pacing guides, essential standards, and actionable short-cycle data.
3Assessment teamsUse common assessments to compare progress and adjust support across classrooms.
4Instructional leadership teamsSupport PLC collaboration with shared data, reteaching resources, and flexible assessment tools.
