What is the Innovative Assessment Community of Practice?
Future Focused Education facilitates Communities of Practice (CoP) in partnership with the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED). The work of the CoPs supports the EQ2 Initiative.
Together we are defining and piloting a new project-based capstone curriculum that culminates with senior exhibitions to demonstrate learning as an alternative to traditional standardized testing.
WHY WE NEED THIS NOW
As we re-imagine assessment in New Mexico, educators should lead the way. Empowering educators to co-create change while providing support and building their capacity are cornerstones of any high-quality initiative in our schools. The CoP will engage educators in learning from one another, reflecting on their own practice, and connecting with local and national expertise as we work together to define and pilot a new project-based graduation pathway for the state.
The Community of Practice engages educators in learning from one another, reflecting on their own practice, and connecting with local and national expertise as we work together to define a new project-based graduation pathway for the state.
How it works
School and district leaders from around the state meet monthly to learn more about the process to transform teaching and learning by leveraging authentic learning and assessment experiences.
By actively participating in the Innovative Assessment Community of Practice, members can use an Innovative Assessment Option from the NM Public Education Department.
How to join
Applications for membership are open. Please click the button below to fill out the preliminary form.
For questions, contact [email protected].
MEET THE TEAM

Lisa Martinez
Director of Learning by Doing

Maria Rogahn
Assistant Director of Learning by Doing

Patricia Jiménez-Latham, Ed. D.
Assistant Director of Capstone Communications and Outreach
Community of Practice Members
*asterisk denotes active member
Resources
- Remodeling Our System of Assessments in New Mexico - Future Focused Education, 2018
- Central New Mexico Graduate Profile and User Guide - Mission: Graduate, 2017
- Portfolio and Capstone Guidebook - Colorado Dept of Education, 2014
- New Mexico State Assessment System: Recommendations - NM Student Success Task Force and Center for Assessment, 2019
- Local Demonstrations of Competency ← examples of local demonstrations from LEAs
- FFE LDC Resources ← tips and a rubric for taking a competency based approach
- Remote Learning Could be a Good Time for a Capstone Project - Getting Smart
- Virtual Portfolio Defense Toolkit from What Teachers in China Have Learned in the Past Month - Envision Learning
- Virtual Defense Webinar Recording - Envisions
- Capstone for Transition Planning - Future Focused Education
- Without the Big Standardized Test - Forbes
Check back for additional resources as we learn together.