Leadership in Assessment: Deepening Assessment Literacy for Systemic Impact (2026/27)
About this Session
This microcredential course is designed for school and system education leaders who are ready to reimagine assessment as a driver of equitable, responsive, and evidence-informed learning. Grounded in the principles of Design-Based Professional Learning (Friesen & Brown, 2020), this course invites participants to explore assessment leadership through iterative, collaborative cycles of inquiry and action. Whether you’re just starting your journey or looking to refine your school’s assessment culture, this course is for those ready to lead change, not just implement tools.
This is not a sit-and-get experience. Throughout the sessions, leaders will be developing:
- A refined assessment vision aligned to system and school priorities.
- A personal leadership portfolio of artifacts and strategies to inform supervision, professional learning, and school growth plans.
- The confidence and capacity to lead transformational shifts that make assessment more meaningful and manageable for teachers and more supportive of students.
This course empowers leaders to move beyond compliance and confidently lead assessment practices that are coherent, inclusive, and purpose-driven, shaping a school culture where all learners can thrive.
Click to view the detailed course syllabus.
This leadership micro-credential course begins with the AAC portion, consisting of 9 virtual sessions (2 hours each) for a total instructional time of 18 hours. Following this initial series, participants interested in graduate credit have the option to register for the University of Alberta course (EDU 596) the following summer. This U of A course offers credit that can be applied as an M.Ed. elective, serve as a pathway into the graduate program, or be taken as a standalone course. Course completion contributes to TQS salary grid advancement and can be submitted by CASS regulated members for CEP accreditation.
The collaborative nature of this program means that your presence and engagement significantly enrich the learning experience for the entire group. As this is a microcredential course, consistent attendance and active participation are key to maximizing the benefits for all participants and are required to meet the course objectives.
Plan to participate in each session as they will not be recorded.
Additional details, including the process for registering for the EDU 596 course, will be distributed during the first session.
| Date/Time: |
|
|---|---|
| Audience: | School and system education leaders |
| Fee: |
$685.00 (Member) $1,165.00 (Non Member) |
| Location: | Virtual (Google Meet) |
| Series: | Leadership in Assessment: Deepening Assessment Literacy for Systemic Impact (2026/27) |
Facilitator
Darrin DeForge
Darrin DeForge served as a principal with Edmonton Catholic Schools for 18 years, opening three new schools in 2017, 2020 (Genesis Online School in response to COVID 19), and 2022, where he concluded his career as principal of Joan Carr Catholic Elementary/Junior High. He has also worked as Director of Inclusive Education and co-led division initiatives in Assessment and Reporting, as well as the development of interview questions and scoring tools for new teachers in partnership with Human Resource Services.
Throughout his career, Darrin has developed strong expertise in instructional leadership, building positive school culture, collaborative structures, and research informed leadership practices. He currently supports principals across Edmonton Catholic Schools in implementing and enhancing Collaborative Response and teaches sessionally at Concordia University. Darrin recently presented at Fort McMurray Public Schools Professional Development Day, ULead, the Collaborative Response Retreat, the Concordia University Master’s Program in Educational Leadership, and GETCA 2026.