Section 10 of Step Up to Writing (Third Edition) gives full attention to assessments and the skills students need to preform well whenever their work is evaluated. The Step Up scoring guides, with matching Samples for Student Writers, make it easy to chart a student's progress. The goal with all Step Up to Writing tools is to help students revise, edit, and improve their work. It's about reaching proficient levels - not just about the score.

Use the following documents to help you plan, implement, and use results from the assessments you give:

• The power of an assessment based on four traits; the importance of specific and timely feedback for student writers; the need to keep it simple; and the joy of promoting high standards for all learners (K-12)
• Step Up to Writing Scoring Guides for formative and summative assessments; preparing for the big game
• Daily? Weekly/Biweekly? Quarterly Assessment? What works best?

Coach John Wooden told young basketball players that success is "all about the socks." He explained to them that he always showed his college players how to put on their socks correctly to avoid blisters - a terrible thing if you are playing basketball. He wanted the young people to see that it's the small things that add up. This is true when it comes to mastering literacy skills. Students need to be taught how to present their work, error free and with pride.

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