From Marking to Meaning:

Small Assessment Shifts That Reduce Burnout in a K-8 Classroom

From Marking to Meaning: Small Assessment Shifts That Reduce Burnout, addresses a problem many K-8 educators and school leaders face: assessment burnout that persists even after streamlining rubrics or trying new tools. Presenter Karley Alleyn will explore why this burnout often stems from deeper beliefs, habits, and assumptions rather than workload alone, examining how personal experience and professional identity shape assessment practice, and why a "less is more" approach can produce clearer, more meaningful evidence of student learning. Rather than adding more to educators' plates, the session focuses on understanding what drives current practice and identifying small, sustainable shifts that reduce overload while better reflecting the belief that every child can succeed. Attendees will leave with three practical tools: an Assessment Identity Reflection, a Less-Is-More Assessment Checklist, and a Stop/Start/Continue Action Planner.