The Evolving Landscape of Reading Assessment with Dr. Elena Forzani
About this episode
Dr. Erin Bailey interviews Dr. Elena Forzani about the evolving landscape of reading assessment and the importance of equity in education.
Host Dr. Erin Bailey talks with Dr. Elena Forzani, a Boston University literacy researcher, about the evolving landscape of reading assessment and equity. Dr. Forzani shares her journey from first-grade teacher to assessment specialist, sparked by disillusionment with teaching-to-the-test practices. She discusses her work on the 2026 NAEP reading framework and explains how this "low-stakes" national assessment differs from high-stakes state tests. The conversation explores culturally responsive assessment—ensuring diverse populations are represented at the table from the start—and the challenges of accounting for students' varied background knowledge. Dr. Forzani also addresses digital literacy in an age of algorithms and AI, emphasizing that students need critical evaluation skills more than ever. The episode concludes with her reflections on how reading inspires connection, transports us to different worlds, and builds community through shared book recommendations. About Dr. Elena Forzani: Dr. Elena Forzani is director of the Literacy Education and Reading & Literacies Education programs and an assistant professor at Boston University Wheelock College of Education &…
People in this episode
Host: Dr. Erin Bailey
Guest: Dr. Elena Forzani
Topics covered
- reading assessment
- equity in education
- culturally responsive assessment
- digital literacy
- teaching practices
- community building through reading
Keywords
- reading assessment
- equity
- culturally responsive
- digital literacy
- NAEP
- teaching-to-the-test
- critical evaluation skills
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Boston University, NAEP, Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
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