Elizabethtown College Assistant Professor of Education PK-12 New Literacies, Kathryn Caprino recently released her latest book, “Student-Centered Literacy Assessment in the 6-12 Classroom: An Asset-Based Approach.” 

The work, which Caprino co-authored with Associate Professor of English Education at Longwood University Sean Ruday, gives instruction through an inquiry-based approach. The authors discuss how to create meaningful and effective assessments, centered around students’ knowledge and strengths. The book is sectioned into three main parts: key concepts of asset-based assessment, specific ways that these practices can be put into action, and putting it all together in your own educational context. 

This is the second book Caprino and Ruday have collaborated on together.  

“This time we teamed up about assessment because we wanted to share a way that English teachers could broaden their understandings of what assessment can look and feel like in their classrooms,” Caprino said. “We wanted to show teachers how to design assessments that capitalize on their students’ strengths.” 

Both authors concentrated on different aspects of assessment-based learning. Ruday created chapters that give readers an inside look into the classroom, while Caprino provided the reasoning for why teachers should implement asset-based assessment practices. 

“Sean and I are hopeful that this book will help teachers see that assessment can look a bit different from traditional quizzes, tests, and essays and that teachers and their students can have fun with assessments that honor students’ assets,” Caprino said.