EDUCATIONAL BOOK REVIEW

GIOVANNI CLARESTA TATO

Assessing 21st Century Skills: A Guide to

Evaluating Mastery and Authentic Learning
Laura Greenstein

Corwin, 2012

Assessing 21st Century Skills by Laura Greenstein is a

comprehensive guide for evaluating students beyond
the use of paper and pencil testing. This book gives an
overview of the demands placed on educators in the 21st century in regards to
evaluating student progress and mastery. It also provides detailed models for
creating assessments and describes the skills needed for students to be
successful in the 21st century. This book, which aligns with the Common Core
State Standards (CCSS), addresses progressive new ways to assess learning
and gives educators a fresh approach for tackling the growing demands of
accountability.

Greenstein considers assessment fundamentals in a straightforward Common

Core State Standards format. She links the requirements of the CCSS with
21st century assessments that are responsive, flexible, cohesive and
informative, balanced, varied, and technologically sound. She also addresses
assessment strategies in a clear, detailed manner, listing types and examples.

Whats inside the book

The heart of Assessing 21st Century Skills revolves around assessing the
necessary skills for thinking, living, and taking action. They include: critical
thinking, metacognition, communications, collaboration, visual and technology
literacy, civic and citizenship skills, global understanding, leadership and
responsibility, and college and career skills. All these skills are components of
a successful 21st century life and are the foundations of Greensteins
assessment formats.

Each skill is addressed in detail, and the author provides examples of rubrics
for scoring assessments as well as examples of success plan checklists and
lesson plans.

In addressing multipurpose assessments, Greenstein gives detailed accounts

of student projects that can be evaluated using 21st century criteria. These
projects include student-focused assessments and group oriented initiations
involving peer-to-peer reviews as well as reflection and teacher reviews.

Greenstein, who draws heavily on the work of Robert Marzano and John Hattie
and their high yield strategies of clear goals, questioning, summarizing, and
feedback, also urges the use of student portfolios including paper and
electronic works and samples of projects and display materials.

As Greenstein notes, her book leans in the direction of the secondary grades,
about which she says:

During the elementary grades, it is reasonable to introduce critical thinking and

concepts such as comparing, synthesizing, and reflecting. At the secondary
level, it is more feasible and realistic to expand these building blocks to include
higher-level thinking, metacognition, media literacy, and global awareness.

Assessing 21st Century Skills calls for reform of student evaluation in a time
when this revision is much needed. It is a must-have for any educator wishing
to assess students beyond the knowledge-based level. This innovative book
addresses the needs of all educators looking to fulfill the requirements of
assessments that focus on the Common Core State Standards.