In Classroom Assessment and Grading That Work, Robert J. Marzano provides an in-depth exploration of what he calls "one of the most powerful weapons in a teacher's arsenal." An effective standards-based, formative assessment program can help to dramatically enhance student achievement throughout the K-12 system, Marzano says. Drawing from his own and others' extensive research, the author provides comprehensive answers to questions such as these: what are the characteristics of an effective assessment program? how can educators use national and state standards documents as a basis for creating a comprehensive, topic-based assessment system? what types of assessment items and tasks are best suited to measuring student progress in mastering information, mental procedures, and psychomotor procedures?; why does the traditional point system used for scoring often lead to incorrect conclusions about a students actual knowledge?; and what types of scoring and final grading systems provide the most accurate portrayal of a students progress along a continuum of learning? In addition to providing teachers with all the tools they need to create a better assessment system, Classroom Assessment and Grading That Work makes a compelling case for the potential of such a system to transform the culture of schools and districts, and to propel K12 education to new levels of effectiveness and efficiency. - Back cover.