WRITING ASSESSMENT LITERACY FOR THE CLASSROOM

To facilitate students’ literacy development effectively, teachers need, in addition to the knowledge of teaching, the knowledge of classroom writing assessment with an emphasis on formative assessment. In this plenary talk, an internationally recognized expert on second language writing will discuss the importance of developing classroom writing assessment literacy and how it can help facilitate students’ literacy development. He will begin by providing an overview of assessment literacy, how it applies to writing instruction and development, and why the focus on formative, rather than summative, assessment is particularly appropriate. He will then discuss some of the strategies for writing assessment that can motive students and promote meaningful engagement that will contribute to students’ literacy development. He will also address larger issues of policy and professional development that are important in transforming assessment practices. The session will conclude with an interactive question and answer session.