The Case of the Mommy Network: Getting to Know about Educational Assessment

Abstract

Using a literacy framework, this case study explores parents’ assessment literacy in South Florida (United States). Data were collected using focus-group interviews of public-school parents (N = 32) and a document artifact. Findings illustrate how parents drew upon verbal and virtual information and social interactions to learn about the educational assessments used for their children. Implications for educators were identified to assist parents in asking assessment questions in order to demystify the educational assessment process.

Keywords:

• assessment literacy
• high-stakes assessment
• parent engagement
• parent-teacher communication