Assessment Guide

At OER Project, we believe assessment should be meaningful, flexible, and empowering for both you and your students. That’s why we’ve woven a variety of assessments throughout our courses, and why every activity offers students a chance to show what they know while giving you the opportunity to gain real insight into their understanding.

Your classroom, your choice

All assessments are optional and entirely at your discretion. Use what fits your classroom, your students, and your goals. We provide a rich toolkit so you can assess learning in ways that work for you—formally or informally, on the fly or in depth. From short activities that focus on sentence-level writing to full document-based questions (DBQs), we have what you need to understand what your students know.

Multiple pathways to success

One size doesn’t fit all. Our courses offer many ways for students to demonstrate mastery so you can see the full picture of their learning. We encourage formative (or as we like to call it, informative) assessment—ongoing, actionable feedback that helps students grow—not just one-and-done tests.

Student agency and reflection

Assessment isn’t just for teachers—it’s for students, too. We want students to monitor their own progress, reflect on their work, and give constructive feedback to peers. With rubrics, peer review, and regular reflection, students learn to take charge of their learning journey. They can also access practice questions for each of the OER Project units through Khan Academy (Big History, World History, World History AP®, Climate) for free, if they’re searching for another way to check their understanding.

Rubrics and thinking tools

We provide clear rubrics and “thinking tools” for every major activity. These help you give consistent feedback and help students understand expectations and track their own growth. Our goal: students who aren’t just learning content, they’re learning how to learn.

Writing matters

Writing assessments such as research papers and DBQs are central to OER Project courses. Through these, students don’t just become better writers; they also learn to think, research, and argue like historians. Peer review deepens this process, helping students see their own strengths and areas for growth.

You’re in the driver’s seat

You know your students best. Our tools are here to support your assessment strategy, not dictate it. We’re here to help you foster deep, reflective learning, but you remain the expert in your classroom.

For more on our approach to writing and assessment, check out our Writing Guide.