Manitoba Association for Progressive Assessment - MTS PD Day

Join educators from across Manitoba in a collaborative exploration of how progressive assessment practices can lead to deeper equity and lasting educational change. Rooted in decolonizing frameworks, culturally responsive pedagogy, and evidence-based approaches, this conference offers space to reflect, learn, and build practical strategies for transforming assessment. Whether you’re just beginning the journey or deep in the work, this gathering is designed to empower educators to reimagine success and create learning environments where all students can thrive.

Info: In many ways, the world students are entering today is unrecognizable to previous generations. The approach we use for classroom assessment needs to better fit today’s world. In this session, I describe how I work within Manitoba’s assessment policy and curriculum frameworks to shelter students from the harms of grading while prioritizing self-assessment, growth, and collaboration. I will share students’ perceptions of traditional assessment and demonstrate some ways that I support students to chart their paths through learning. I will share evidence that can help educators, administrators, students, and families who want to advocate for progressive assessment approaches. Working together with these ideas, we can offer hope for a paradigm shift in education that centers student agency.

Info: Explore how meaningful student conferences can shift assessment from something done to students to something done with them. This session will share practical approaches for using conversation, reflection, and evidence of learning to strengthen student agency, ownership, and understanding of their progress.

Info: Discover how outcomes-based assessment can help educators focus on what students know, understand, and can do rather than simply accumulating marks. Participants will explore ways to connect learning outcomes, evidence, feedback, and reporting while creating clearer pathways for student growth.

Info: New to progressive assessment or wondering where to begin? This introductory session will explore the key principles behind progressive assessment, including descriptive feedback, student agency, multiple opportunities to demonstrate learning, and a reduced emphasis on grades. Participants will leave with practical ideas for taking their first steps. Facilitator: Dr. Michael Holden is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Winnipeg. His research focuses on the complexities of classroom assessment, with a focus on collaborating with teachers to transform their assessment practices to support robust student learning.

Info: Since artificial intelligence (AI) pushed itself onto the educational landscape, an urgency has emerged to "figure out" what to do about it. Which policies do we need to develop? How do we prevent cheating? How can we leverage AI in our assessment practices? Which AI platforms are best? How do we capture evidence of the development of skill and understanding? And most important of all: What do we value in our education system? These questions were explored at the Canadian Assessment for Learning Network (CAfLN) conference earlier this month in Yellowknife, NT. In this interactive session, Katie will share insights that emerged during the CAfLN conference and invite MAPA participants to engage in this critically important thinking which will help each of us to navigate the uncertainty ahead.

Info: Progressive assessment can challenge the way traditional gradebooks are organized. This practical session will explore ways to structure a gradebook around learning outcomes and meaningful evidence while still working within existing reporting requirements.

Info: Moving toward progressive assessment requires more than changing classroom practices. It requires building understanding and trust. Explore ways to engage students and families in conversations about assessment, communicate the reasons behind changing practices, and use student experiences and evidence of learning to help build support for change.

Info: Explore how single-point rubrics can shift attention away from points and toward meaningful feedback, reflection, and growth. Participants will look at how clearly defined learning expectations can create space to identify both strengths and next steps while supporting student self-assessment and agency.

Event venue & nearby stays

Glenlawn Collegiate, 770 Saint Mary's Road, Winnipeg, Canada

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