12 Assessment and Evaluation

Key Concepts

1. Formative Assessment
2. Summative Assessment
3. Self-Assessment
4. Peer Assessment
5. Performance-Based Assessment
6. Criterion-Referenced Assessment
7. Norm-Referenced Assessment
8. Portfolio Assessment
9. Rubrics
10. Feedback
11. Standardized Testing
12. Continuous Improvement

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment is used during the learning process to provide ongoing feedback and help students improve. It includes quizzes, classroom discussions, and informal observations. For example, a teacher might ask students to perform a skill and provide immediate feedback to help them refine their technique.

Think of formative assessment as a GPS for learning. Just as a GPS provides real-time directions, formative assessment gives real-time feedback to help students stay on track.

Summative Assessment

Summative assessment is used to evaluate student learning at the end of an instructional unit by comparing it against some standard or benchmark. It includes tests, exams, and final projects. For example, a physical education class might have a final fitness test to assess overall progress.

Consider summative assessment as a final exam. Just as a final exam summarizes a semester's worth of knowledge, summative assessment summarizes a period of learning.

Self-Assessment

Self-assessment involves students evaluating their own performance and progress. This helps students develop critical thinking and self-reflection skills. For example, students might rate their own performance in a sports activity and identify areas for improvement.

Think of self-assessment as a mirror. Just as a mirror reflects your appearance, self-assessment reflects your learning and performance.

Peer Assessment

Peer assessment involves students evaluating each other's work. This promotes collaboration and helps students understand different perspectives. For example, students might evaluate each other's teamwork during a group activity.

Consider peer assessment as a peer review. Just as a peer review in writing helps improve a manuscript, peer assessment helps improve performance and teamwork.

Performance-Based Assessment

Performance-based assessment evaluates students based on their actual performance in real-world tasks. It includes demonstrations, projects, and practical exams. For example, a student might demonstrate a specific skill, such as dribbling a basketball, to be assessed.

Think of performance-based assessment as a live performance. Just as a live performance shows actual skills, performance-based assessment shows actual abilities.

Criterion-Referenced Assessment

Criterion-referenced assessment measures student performance against predetermined criteria or standards. It focuses on what students know and can do. For example, a fitness test might have specific criteria for passing, such as completing a certain number of push-ups.

Consider criterion-referenced assessment as a checklist. Just as a checklist ensures all tasks are completed, criterion-referenced assessment ensures all standards are met.

Norm-Referenced Assessment

Norm-referenced assessment compares student performance to the performance of a group. It focuses on how students rank relative to their peers. For example, a standardized test might rank students based on their percentile compared to others.

Think of norm-referenced assessment as a race. Just as a race ranks participants based on their finish times, norm-referenced assessment ranks students based on their performance relative to others.

Portfolio Assessment

Portfolio assessment involves collecting a student's work over time to evaluate progress and achievement. It includes a variety of materials, such as videos, photos, and written reflections. For example, a student might create a portfolio of their athletic achievements and progress over the school year.

Consider portfolio assessment as a scrapbook. Just as a scrapbook collects memories, portfolio assessment collects evidence of learning and growth.

Rubrics

Rubrics are scoring tools that provide detailed criteria for assessing performance. They outline the levels of performance expected and how to score each level. For example, a rubric might outline the criteria for scoring a gymnastics routine.

Think of rubrics as a grading scale. Just as a grading scale provides clear criteria for grading, rubrics provide clear criteria for assessing performance.

Feedback

Feedback is information provided to students about their performance to help them improve. It can be verbal, written, or demonstrated. For example, a teacher might provide feedback on a student's running technique by showing a video of their run and pointing out areas for improvement.

Consider feedback as a compass. Just as a compass guides travelers, feedback guides students towards improvement.

Standardized Testing

Standardized testing involves administering the same test to all students under the same conditions. It provides a uniform measure of student performance. For example, a statewide fitness test might be administered to all students in a particular grade level.

Think of standardized testing as a ruler. Just as a ruler provides a uniform measure of length, standardized testing provides a uniform measure of performance.

Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement involves ongoing assessment and evaluation to enhance teaching and learning. It includes regular reflection and adjustment of instructional strategies. For example, a teacher might reflect on student performance data and adjust their teaching methods accordingly.

Consider continuous improvement as a journey. Just as a journey involves ongoing exploration and adjustment, continuous improvement involves ongoing assessment and adjustment to enhance learning.