The Imprtance of Assessments

What is the most important factor teachers’ face? Is it merely teaching material to the students? Many people would agree that the teaching of the material is the most important factor teachers’ face. I do not agree with this factor. I feel that assessments are the most important factor teachers’ face. Assessing is the most intricate factor that teacher’s have to use as a tool to teach their classes.

Assessment is defined as a form of measurement and appraisal. Assessments evaluate what children know and what skills the children possess. As a teacher, I will use assessments as a tool to get the whole picture of what each child is capable of. I will also use assessments to help me reflect on my teaching and improve on my presentation of material.

There are many types of assessments that can be given to a child. There is formative or formal assessment, which are your standardize tests. Formative assessments are the ones most parents are familiar with. Formative assessments also refer to gathering of information that is then used to shape and improve an instructional program. Summative assessment is done at the end of period of time. Classroom assessments are done to gather and document information teachers need to identify strengths, weaknesses, needs, and progress of each child to help them to be successful at the developmentally appropriate level. Alternative or in formal assessment refers to almost any type of assessment other than standardize tests or published instruments (i.e. formal assessment).

Assessments can be given in several different vignettes. All assessments have the purpose of emphasizing the need to organize data, interpret the data, and apply the concluded ideas from the data. I as a teacher would use seve...

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...n how to enhance learning in the classroom. Classroom assessments are an ongoing process that forms a feedback loop. The knowledge that teachers gain during the assessing of students are than reflected upon and feedback is given to the students to improve the learning process. Feedback is also provided to the teacher on their teaching methods. This is a continuous loop that connects teaching with learning and students with teachers. Good teaching practices can be enhanced with using multiple types’ assessment, analyzing the data, reflecting on the data, and giving feedback to the students and their parents to improve the students learning.

Doing what is necessary to promote student learning and mastery of material is the most important thing in the student’s education. Helping students be successful in their education will be my greatest achievement as a teacher.