Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning)
 

Assess THAT with Tom & Nat! (Assessment, Feedback, Grading, and Learning)

https://feed.podbean.com/assessthat/feed.xml

178K

Downloads

158

Episodes

Assess THAT with Tom & Nat is a bi-weekly podcast where co-hosts Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso unpack what it really means to deepen assessment literacy in schools. Known for their dynamic, insightful, and sometimes provocative conversations, Tom and Nat create a space where educators can rethink grading, feedback, and accountability in ways that put student learning first. Each episode blends practical strategies with big-picture thinking, helping teachers and leaders translate research into action without losing sight of the human side of education.

Listeners can expect honest discussions, fresh perspectives, and plenty of take-home ideas. From reimagining final exams to exploring the role of assessment in equity and Universal Design for Learning, Assess THAT is for any educator ready to challenge the status quo and embrace assessment as a tool for growth—not just measurement.

About the Hosts
Tom Schimmer and Natalie Vardabasso are internationally recognized speakers, authors, and consultants who have spent their careers helping schools modernize assessment and grading practices. Together, they are the co-founders of the Canadian Assessment Centre (CAC), a national professional learning hub created by Canadians, for Canadians to bring clarity, credibility, and care to assessment in classrooms across the country.

  • Tom Schimmer is the author and co-author of multiple best-selling books, including Grading from the Inside Out and Standards-Based Learning in Action. With 35 years of experience as a teacher, leader, and consultant, Tom is known for his ability to translate big ideas into practical tools educators can use right away.

  • Natalie Vardabasso is a leading voice in assessment and equity, recognized for her innovative approaches to standards-based learning, feedback, and student agency. As a speaker, writer, and coach, she has helped thousands of educators create assessment systems that are not only accurate but also deeply humanizing.

Together, Tom and Natalie bring complementary perspectives, humour, and a deep commitment to making assessment meaningful. Their partnership in Assess THAT and at the Canadian Assessment Centre reflects a shared belief that when educators improve how they assess, they unlock the full potential of every learner.

Tom and Natalie are also the authors of Rehumanizing Assessment: Gathering Evidence of Learning Through Storytelling, a book that challenges traditional grading systems and shows how assessment can honour student voice and identity.

Why Listen?
Whether you’re a classroom teacher, school leader, or policy maker, Assess THAT with Tom & Nat will challenge your assumptions, equip you with actionable strategies, and inspire you to see assessment as the most powerful driver of student success.

Episodes

Relentless Outrage | Matt Townsley | Leading Change in Assessment (2)

Monday Mar 22, 2021

Monday Mar 22, 2021

In Don't @ Me (1:24), Tom takes aim at the relentlessly outraged and details why we are all at risk of losing all perspective, resiliency, individuality, & common-sense. Then, Tom is joined by Dr. Matt Townsley (15:30) to discuss the implementation of standards-based grading at the Secondary level. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:11:40), Tom (continuing from last week's episode) uses Dr. John Kotter's research to explore the important phases necessary to transform the assessment & grading culture of a school. 

 

 

 

Read more

Happy for Others | Peter DeWitt | Leading Change in Assessment

Monday Mar 15, 2021

Monday Mar 15, 2021

In Don't @ Me (2:45), Tom examines the question of why it's so hard for us to be happy for others. Then, Tom is joined by Dr. Peter DeWitt (17:38) to discuss what it means to be an instructional leader. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:19:07), Tom uses Dr. John Kotter's research to explore the important phases necessary to transform the assessment & grading culture of a school. 

 

 

Read more

Defending vs Defensive | Alexa Schmid | Normative Tendencies

Monday Mar 08, 2021

Monday Mar 08, 2021

In Don't @ Me (3:51), Tom outlines the challenges we face when deciding whether someone is defending themselves or being defensive. Then, Tom is joined by Alexa Schmid (16:42), Middle School Principal at the International School of Kenya, to discuss the findings of her doctoral research on Justice, Equity, and Cultural Competence in International Education. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:12:35), Tom explores the inadvertent influence our lingering normative tendencies can have on the implementation of standards-based grading practices. 

 

 

Read more

Introspection Illusions | Natalie Conway | Consumable Report Cards?

Monday Mar 01, 2021

Monday Mar 01, 2021

In Don't @ Me (2:13), Tom highlights the psychological phenomenon of "introspection illusion" (via Dr. Emily Pronin) and talks about its impact on both our disagreements with colleagues and on student self-reflection. Then, Tom is joined by Natalie Conway (13:19) to discuss online learning and what it takes to create a truly rich experience for online learners. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:04:00), Tom explores the oft-overlooked aspect of report card reform; is the new report card consumable to parents and families?

 

 

Read more

BONUS: Standardized Testing with Tom Guskey

Friday Feb 26, 2021

Friday Feb 26, 2021

In this bonus episode, Tom is joined by Tom Guskey to discuss the recent decision by the Biden Administration to mandate that standardized tests proceed this spring. The conversation focuses on this acute decision and standardized tests in general.

 

 

Read more

Defending EduSpeak | Trevor MacKenzie | Self-Reflection

Monday Feb 22, 2021

Monday Feb 22, 2021

In Don't @ Me (2:05) Tom takes aim at those who (wrongly) use the terms like "EduSpeak" or "Buzzword" to refer to important, research-validated processes. Then, Tom is joined by Trevor MacKenzie (10:02) to discuss inquiry-based learning and how to bring more student agency to the classroom. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:10:03), Tom explores the 4 directions and the 2 dimensions of student self-reflection.

 

 

Read more

Allure of Labels | Starr Sackstein | Multiple-Choice

Monday Feb 15, 2021

Monday Feb 15, 2021

In Don't @ Me (1:34) Tom shares his thoughts on why (now more than ever) people use labels to undercut the credibility of those with whom they disagree. Then, Tom is joined by Starr Sackstein (10:48) to discuss her assessment journey and her quest to go "gradeless." Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:05:24), Tom explores when multiple-choice is an appropriate assessment method and how to develop a quality multiple-choice item.

 

Read more

Experience for Nuance | Jay McTighe | Assessing Creativity

Monday Feb 08, 2021

Monday Feb 08, 2021

In Don't @ Me (6:18) Tom examines the strange relationship some educators have with research and suggests that our experience be used to add the nuances of implementation. Then, Tom is joined by Jay McTighe (15:15) to discuss "Designing Authentic Performance Tasks and Projects." Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:20:30), Tom explores how teachers can assess creativity without stifling creativity and how to develop criteria to assess the creative process.

 

Read more

Learning Loss Illusion | Shauna Brown | Net-Zero Grading Reform

Monday Feb 01, 2021

Monday Feb 01, 2021

In Don't @ Me (2:50) Tom explains why he's done talking about the "COVID learning loss" and why rich, engaging opportunities now are all students need going forward; that "catching-up" is a manufactured narrative. Then Tom is joined by Shauna Brown (11:48) who is an Instructional Leader, Consultant, Educator, and Entrepreneur; the discussion centers on racial equity in schools and society, as well as the vision behind her brand "Teach For the Culture." Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:01:31), Tom highlights why any move to sound grading practices or standard-based grading must be a net-zero change proposition; that doing more of one thing should lead to doing less of something else.

 

Read more

Psychology of Conspiracy | Katie Novak | Atypical Assessments (2)

Monday Jan 25, 2021

Monday Jan 25, 2021

In Don't @ Me (1:58) Tom explores the psychological motives behind why some people believe strongly in conspiracy theories and potentially how to support those who realize the theories were wrong. Then, in the interview (14:08), Tom is joined by author, speaker, and consultant Katie Novak to discuss the impact of Universal Design for Learning. Finally, in Assessment Corner (1:09:36), Tom, in part 2 of his exploration of atypical assessment formats, highlights how teachers can engineer effective collaborative conversations in their classrooms; he also thinks aloud as to how story-telling can be more embedded into a culturally responsive assessment system.

 

Read more
Load more

Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Version: 20241125