Collaboratively Assess Progress

Chapter Six of School Change Is a Collaborative Process: A Step-by-Step Guide to Improve K–12 Student Learning introduces the fifth subsystem of the Six-Point Conceptual Framework, Collaboratively Assess Progress . Building on the action plans developed in earlier chapters, this chapter equips educational leaders and teacher teams with processes to evaluate both short- and long-term goals using clear, measurable criteria. Guided by Guskey’s assertion that “the purpose of assessment is not to prove, but to improve,” leaders learn to design or adapt assessment tools, analyze data from multiple measures, and make timely adjustments to sustain momentum. Collaborative progress assessment deepens shared ownership, reinforces transparency, and integrates professional learning directly into daily practice. By engaging diverse stakeholders in evidence-based reflection, schools strengthen collective efficacy, align instructional changes with broader improvement priorities, and ensure equity-focused outcomes. Practical strategies illustrate how faculty can monitor classroom-level changes, track broader student achievement, and build teacher capacity through job-embedded professional development. Ultimately, this cycle of review, dialogue, and refinement creates a culture of trust, accountability, and continuous improvement that keeps school transformation efforts responsive and results-oriented.