Media Roundup

No Time Better for Better Assessments

October 2026

Leaders in education have started sounding alarm bells that assessments in the age of AI must change. Citing inherent inaccuracies of AI-use “gotcha” software and the academic integrity dilemmas of final product-based assessment, a sea change is on the way.

As one Inside Higher Ed article states (linked below), “Instead of trying to ‘catch’ AI use, focus on designing assignments that encourage process, reasoning, and authentic engagement.” Decades of research on best assessment practices tell us that embracing process-based assessments allow students to demonstrate their application of knowledge. Some examples include:

  • Portfolios: curated collections of student work and the growth shown over time

  • Formative feedback: i.e., exit tickets, polls, self and peer assessment, concept maps, staged research beginning with a proposal

  • Conversation-based assessments: i.e., teacher-student check-ins, dialogues with open-ended prompts, oral presentations

  • Authentic performance tasks: i.e., podcasts, debates, presentations

  • Competency demonstrations: i.e., product creation and design (i.e., models)

Process-based assessments are one effective approach to meaningfully tracking student learning. Of course, the importance of building real relationships and human connection remains key—a student who knows their teacher is less likely to cheat. Schools should also ensure their students are armed with AI-aware rubrics that help them understand appropriate AI uses and are proficient in properly documenting the use of AI tools in their work.

Media Roundup

AI Literacy and How You Can Support Your Students

September 2026

Navigating generative AI in schools requires a balanced, thoughtful perspective, even when some would rather cover our ears and close our eyes. But instead of shying away from understanding the technology, we can draw on lessons from previous technological shifts and meet this moment with intention. Our students are confronting this rapid shift either with our support—or on their own. We’ve curated four readings to support your approaches and thinking this year about how to support students by building up their AI literacy, equipping them to evaluate these tools critically, use them responsibly, stay competitive in a changing job market, and remain grounded in human-centered learning.