By Glenn D. Tipay, EPS II-SMN
OLONGAPO CITY, June 2–3, 2026 — In line with DM-OULS-2025-194 or the Guidelines on the Commencement of the Regional Office/Schools Division Office Managed Training on the Alignment of Classroom and National Assessments, the Schools Division Office of Olongapo City successfully conducted the Division Rollout on the Alignment of Classroom and National Assessments (Project ACES) on June 2, 2026 at St. Joseph’s College Junior High School Social Hall and on June 3, 2026 through Microsoft Teams.
The activity gathered master teachers across the division and teachers from private schools to enhance assessment literacy and strengthen the alignment of classroom-based assessments with national and international assessment frameworks.
The training aimed to improve participants’ competencies in assessment design, validation, and data utilization; strengthen instructional supervision and technical assistance mechanisms; enhance the quality, validity, and reliability of classroom assessment tools; and promote data-driven instructional planning and targeted learner interventions.
The program formally opened with welcome remarks from Assistant Schools Division Superintendent Ilynne S. Samonte, CESE, followed by the statement of purpose delivered by Eleonor C. Cayabyab, EdD, Chief of the Curriculum Implementation Division.
Schools Division Superintendent Imelda P. Macaspac, PhD inspired participants through her message emphasizing the importance of quality assessments in improving learner achievement and educational outcomes.
The first day featured a series of learning sessions led by education leaders and experts in the field of assessment. Rosa Jade T. Valiente, EdD, Project ACES Proponent and Public Schools District Supervisor, discussed the principles of assessment literacy.
Mary Ann M. Casimiro, Master Teacher I of Iram High School, presented an overview of national assessments and their significance in measuring learner performance.Further discussions focused on developing high-quality assessment tools, with Edward San Agustin, EdD, School Head of Boton Elementary School, sharing strategies on effective item writing for classroom assessments.
Participants also gained insights into international assessment frameworks through sessions on PISA, SEA-PLM, and TIMSS facilitated by Jeannie Layacan, EdD, OIC Science Department Head of Gordon Heights National High School; Joyce Ann S. Abad, EdD, Assistant Head Designate of Nellie Brown Elementary School; and Jomel F. Lim, EdD, Master Teacher I of New Cabalan Elementary School, respectively.
On the second day, participants engaged in hands-on workshops designed to apply the concepts learned during the training. Workshop sessions focused on writing standardized classroom-based assessment items and designing meaningful contexts for PISA-like assessments, facilitated by Edward San Agustin and Jeannie Layacan.
Through Project ACES, SDO Olongapo City reaffirms its commitment to advancing assessment practices and ensuring that classroom assessments are aligned with national and global standards, ultimately supporting improved teaching, learning, and learner achievement across the division.
