Integrated Montessori Center Faculty Master Advanced Assessment Strategies Through the SOLO Framework

To further refine the quality of student evaluation and cognitive growth, Integrated Montessori Center (IMC) dedicated a professional development morning to mastering advanced assessment techniques. On May 15, 2026, the school’s faculty gathered at the IMC Multipurpose Hall for a training session focused on the Structure of Observed Learning Outcomes (SOLO).

The seminar was headlined by Ms. Mary Grace Espiel, a UP-trained Master of Education in Educational Administration and a veteran educator of 15 years whose extensive experience as a textbook author and research coordinator provided the faculty with expert guidance on modernizing test construction. Ms. Espiel introduced the SOLO Framework, a powerful tool that allows teachers to move beyond rote memorization. By understanding the progression from basic knowledge to higher-order thinking, IMC educators explored how to design tasks that measure the true depth of a student’s understanding.

Practical Application in Test Construction

The theory was immediately put into practice through a collaborative workshop. Educators were tasked with creating their own assessment tools using the SOLO levels, ensuring that their test questions were aligned with learner-centered and outcome-based objectives. The participants then presented their drafted assessments, receiving peer feedback on how to better promote critical thinking and deeper learning within their specific subject areas.

Synthesizing Assessment and Instruction

Beyond just test-writing, the session sparked a broader dialogue on how the SOLO levels can be used to differentiate instruction in real-time. By identifying whether a student is at a unistructural, multistructural, or relational level of understanding, IMC teachers discussed ways to tailor their daily feedback and learning activities to meet students where they are. This shift toward a more nuanced assessment culture ensures that every learner at IMC is not only tested on what they know but is also challenged to expand their ability to connect ideas and apply them to complex, real-world problems.

This pursuit of academic excellence at IMC is supported by the longstanding partnership between Diwa Learning Systems Inc. and Bato Balani Foundation Inc. (BBFI), both of which remain dedicated to providing educators with the innovative tools necessary for modern instructional success.