Build student ownership through assessment as learning
When students only look for a score, feedback loses its power. Student self-assessment helps shift the assessment process from something that happens to students into something they actively use to understand their learning, strengthen their cognitive abilities, and take meaningful next steps.
This white paper, Student Self-Assessment: Building Ownership, Thinking, and Sustainable Assessment Practices by Becky Evers-Gerdes and Bryan Matera, explores how structured self-assessment supports assessment as learning, improves metacognition in the classroom, and creates more sustainable classroom practices for teachers.
Spark student thinking and make learning stick
In this article, you’ll learn how student self-assessment can help educators:
- Build student ownership of learning
- Strengthen deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, and overall reasoning
- Develop self-regulated learning and independence
- Increase student self-efficacy and confidence
- Improve classroom culture through shared responsibility
- Use collaborative assessment to deepen understanding
- Reduce grading workload while increasing meaningful learning conversations
Strategic classroom practices to make feedback more meaningful
Self-assessment is a long-term investment in deeper learning.
With clear criteria, modeling, and low-stakes practice, students learn to assess their own work with accuracy and purpose. Over time, classrooms shift away from passive compliance toward active thinking, reflection, and growth.
This transformation strengthens classroom culture, reduces reliance on external validation, and positions students as capable, independent learners.