12 / 20
12
Assessment
Do you remember the days of Scranton exams at the end of a unit? Perhaps a quiz halfway through a unit of study and that
was the only way to show your learning? These were the assessment practices of yesterday. Today’s assessment practices
ask students to do more than memorize information, but rather apply and analyze information to
show
their understanding
throughout the learning process.
What is assessment?
Assessment is defined as the process of collecting and interpreting information that can be used to inform teachers, students,
and, when applicable, parents/guardians or other users of assessment information about students’ progress in attaining the
knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors to be learned or acquired in school ( Joint Committee on Standards for Educational
Evaluation, 2003).
Fundamental to an assessment process is a clearly stated purpose that is aligned to defined learning expectations and
is effectively communicated to all students. Without this key element, learning expectations cannot provide the critical
foundation and application needed for excellence in teaching and learning. Strong assessments are the building blocks and
the road map for the design and development of curriculum materials, national standards, state standards, and local content
standards that ultimately serve as a guide for student success.
How is the assessment data used?
Results collected are used to informteacher instructional delivery, monitor student progress during learning, aswell asmeasure
student growth at the culmination of a learning period such as a unit, term, or year. Following all stages of assessment,
sharing information with the students, parents/guardians and/or other teachers provides a valid and reliable approach to
clearly communicate useful performance feedback aimed at improving student learning and showing student progress.