ASCD PD Online courses are self-paced, web-based, media-rich learning experiences that help users deepen their understanding of today's most important education topics. Each course includes video content, readings, auto-graded assessments, downloadable applications, and reflections. You must register for your class through Puget Sound ESD in order to request PSESD clock hours or Seattle University college credit. Instructions for beginning your class and requesting clock hours or SU credit will be included in your registration confirmation email. Check your Junk/Spam folder if you do not see it!

You can register anytime between September 1, 2025 and August 25, 2026, but your course MUST be completed by August 31, 2026.

This course gets at the heart of formative assessment, beyond the basics. The course begins with a lesson about understanding. What are we looking for when we say that we want students to understand a concept? Many educators suggest that if students can apply what they've learned, they're on their way to understanding the content.

With that definition of understanding as a guide, the following modules delve more deeply into the kinds of activities that allow students to apply what they've learned. They also review the variety of formative assessments that enable teachers to evaluate whether, how much, and what students are learning. The results of these formative assessments provide teachers with the student learning data they need to plan their next instructional steps.