Assessment, classroom practices, and instructional strategies are intimately connected, each influencing the other in a dynamic way that shapes the overall learning experience of students. Teachers must put time and consideration into all three elements to best foster student progress.

Beginning with cultural competence in the classroom, educators who take the time to understand their students’ backgrounds and interests are better equipped to design assessments that are culturally relevant and meaningful. This understanding, cultivated through building relationships with students, informs instructional strategies such as differentiation of content, process, product, and environment. For instance, when teachers tailor their instruction to accommodate diverse learning styles or preferences, they inherently facilitate better performance on assessments by aligning the teaching methods with the students’ strengths and needs.

Inclusive education, characterized by a variety of instructional strategies and practices, ensures that all students have equitable access to learning opportunities. Instructional strategies such as using varied materials and resources, employing universal design for learning principles, and implementing diverse instructional approaches  help best prepare students for their assessments. By providing students with multiple pathways to access and demonstrate their learning, educators can enhance the validity and fairness of assessments. Moreover, it is important to understand that utilizing inclusive instructional strategies also works to maintain an inclusive classroom environment that welcomes and uplifts each individual student. Students must first feel this sense of safety and empowerment to demonstrate achievement on their assessments. Just like flowers, students require a stable, nourishing environment to be able to grow, flourish, and bloom.

Another way to nourish students within assessment, classroom practices, and instructional practices is to approach each pillar from a wholistic perspective. Just as a gardener tends to the soil, water, and sunlight to nurture a plant’s growth, educators must attend to all aspects of student development—cognitive, emotional, physical, social, and spiritual. For the longest time, students were solely viewed through their cognitive realm. They were seen as brains to be fed information that was also to be repeatedly regurgitated. This is incredibly dehumanizing. Using the wholistic throughout all areas of teaching maximizes student growth and learning.

In essence, the integration of assessment, classroom practices, and instructional strategies fosters a dynamic learning environment where students feel supported, engaged, and empowered to succeed. By recognizing and leveraging the interconnectedness of these components, educators can create enriching learning experiences that promote growth, equity, and achievement for all students.