Welcome!

Damian Cooper is an independent education consultant who specializes in helping schools and school districts improve their instructional and assessment skills. Damian's work is guided by two simple principles:

• Assessment must be good for students. That means it must promote learning, and be fair, equitable, and sensitive to individual needs.

• Assessment must be manageable and efficient for teachers. That means that it must not be all-consuming in terms of teachers' time and energy. And it must involve a reasonable number of well-designed, high-quality tools.

Damian offers thought-provoking and dynamic keynote addresses, half and full day interactive workshops and planning sessions, as well as on-site consulting services. Click on "Services" for a listing of these sessions. Damian's strength as a speaker and facilitator lies in his down-to-earth, teacher-centred approach to staff development. His sessions comprise an engaging mix of practical strategies, personal experience, humorous anecdotes and video footage of classroom practice.

Here is a sampling of what teachers and administrators have said after attending a session with Damian:

• "A Level 4 performance."

• "We must have Damian speak to all teachers. He has the background, research, and he is immensely listen-able."

• "The best PD for principals in a long time."

• "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! AWESOME!"

• "Damian is an engaging story-teller and his use of metaphors connects his message to real life"

• "This is the most professional, erudite and comprehensive workshop we have ever had as instructional leaders."

• "Damian's responses to our questions were very helpful."

• "Damian's session provided a superb walk-through, highlighting the key issues of assessment."

Damian's clear and sensible approach to planning, teaching and assessment is evident in the various publications and software that he and his colleagues have produced. Click on "Products" to view these. Their latest innovation is GradePARtner, a state-of-the-art web-based planning and assessment software for schools and parents.