Like most teachers, you probably administer a beginning-of-the-year assessment (BOYA). Too often, BOYAs become something we do just because it’s expected. We administer the test, we check the box, and we move on. But what if we flipped the script? What if, instead of seeing BOYAs as a requirement, we saw them as an opportunity to really understand what our students need to succeed in math? An opportunity to move beyond just getting the right answer and towards fostering a deeper understanding of mathematical concepts. Press play to dig in!

How we start the school year sets the tone for student learning, yet many early assessments fall short of capturing what our students truly know and can do. This episode explores how to move beyond traditional beginning-of-year math assessments that focus on rote procedures and instead embrace practices that highlight student thinking, reasoning, and mathematical understanding.

Discover practical alternatives to standard assessments, and learn how these strategies can offer meaningful insights into student thinking, while also creating a positive, low-pressure learning environment from day one.

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