A Math Education Game Changer: Assessing What Really Counts

Presented by Jay McTighe, Author and Consultant, McTighe and Associates Consulting; and Jay Meadows, Experienced Educator, Current CEO, Exemplars

Sponsored by Exemplars

Watch the Recording

Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.

Featuring special guest speaker Jay McTighe.

What does high-quality student work look like in today’s math classroom? The recent versions of mathematics standards (e.g., NCTM, CCSS, TEKS) emphasize the development of mathematical reasoning, problem-solving strategies, and associated habits of mind (e.g., precision, perseverance) along with computational accuracy. In addition, many schools and districts have adopted a Portrait of a Graduate that identifies cross-disciplinary competencies that are valued in the modern world (e.g., creativity, ability to work effectively in teams, responsible citizenship, communication using various media). Such learning outcomes have significant implications for mathematics instruction as well as for assessment practices.

In this edWebinar, Jay McTighe and Jay Meadows explore what math teaching and assessment should look like in today’s schools for students to achieve these valued outcomes. Jay and Jay make the case for the increased use of authentic math tasks—on both large-scale, end-of-the-year accountability tests and on classroom assessments—to measure what really matters and promote more engaging and relevant instruction.

They investigate the game-changing potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform mathematics assessment to enable educators to efficiently and effectively gauge all valued outcomes, not just those easiest and cheapest to test. They describe TRISTAN, an AI tool capable of reading students’ handwritten responses to open-ended tasks that ask students to show their thinking, not simply select an answer from a given set of options.

It is now possible to transform the way we teach and assess mathematics towards what really counts! This recorded edWebinar is of interest to K-12 teachers, school leaders, and district leaders.

About the Presenters

Jay McTighe is a veteran educator and accomplished author, having co-written 18 books, including the award-winning and best-selling Understanding by Design® series with Grant Wiggins. His books have been translated into 14 languages. Jay has also written more than 50 book chapters, articles, and blogs, and has been published in leading journals, including Educational Leadership (ASCD), Edutopia, and Education Week. Jay has an extensive background in professional development and is a regular speaker at state, national, and international conferences. He has made presentations in 48 states within the United States, in seven Canadian provinces, and internationally in 41 countries on six continents. Jay received his undergraduate degree from the College of William and Mary, earned his master’s degree from the University of Maryland, and completed post-graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University.

Jay Meadows is the Chief Executive Officer of Exemplars, a leading force in redefining how students learn to think mathematically. With over 30 years in education, Jay brings a rare blend of classroom insight and research-driven innovation. A former middle school math and science teacher, he holds advanced degrees in both teaching and mathematical pedagogy—credentials that reflect his deep commitment to meaningful, effective math instruction. At Exemplars, Jay is not only a primary author of performance tasks but also a national thought partner for educators.

He leads dynamic professional development experiences across the United States, helping teachers transform their classrooms with problem solving, authentic assessment, and the practices that research shows make the biggest difference. His mission is bold: to cultivate a generation of learners who can tackle any challenge with confidence and grit. Jay’s impact extends far beyond U.S. borders. Before his teaching career, he facilitated diplomatic exchange programs for the U.S. State Department, partnered with international nonprofits, and served in the Peace Corps in Kazakhstan. This global lens continues to shape his belief in education as a force for empowerment and equity.

Learn more about earning a CE certificate and our accessibility features.

Join the Building Math Proficiency community to network with educators, participate in online discussions, receive invitations to upcoming edWebinars, and view recordings of previous programs to earn CE certificates.

Exemplars provides performance tasks, rubrics, and student anchor papers for schools and districts in Math and Science. Our performance material engages students and promotes reasoning, critical thinking, communication, and problem solving. Our performance tasks are classroom tested and may be used for assessment, instruction, and professional development. Exemplars’ supplemental resources are research based and designed to meet state and national standards.