Exemplars focuses on performance tasks that engage students in real-world, authentic problem-solving situations. This approach helps my students to develop critical 21st-century skills such as communication, creativity, and critical thinking, which are essential for success beyond the classroom.
Unlike more theoretical approaches, where I have to make my own estimation or my team's estimation of what success looks like (it usually takes a lot of time for educators to reach a consensus). Exemplars provides concrete tools for both teachers and students. These include detailed rubrics and student anchor papers demonstrating different achievement levels as well as rich performance tasks.
This comprehensive set of resources allows for ready-made common formative assessments, enabling teachers to adjust their instruction based on student performance and helping students understand what high-quality work looks like.
Furthermore, Exemplars materials are research-based and aligned with state, national, and Common Core standards. This ensures that the tasks are engaging and meet academic requirements helping teachers to report on standards confidently.
By emphasizing the application of mathematical knowledge to solve problems using students' own strategies, Exemplars promote deeper understanding and flexible thinking in mathematics so that every student can feel successful and challenged.