In the world of education, assessments play an integral role in student learning. To get the most out of assessments, they must be aligned with the standards, accurately measure what students know, as well as promote student learning (McTighe and O’Connor, 2005). In order to do this, it is important to include students in the assessment planning process. This should begin at the beginning of a unit with the pre-assessment and should be carried throughout the formative and summative assessments. Dr. Anne Davies believes that “when students are involved in the assessment process, they are more engaged and motivated, and they learn more” (Davies, 2007, p. 31). In my interdisciplinary unit, I attempt to include students in every stage of the assessments
...of assessments to assess their skills in their job market. By allowing students to have a variety of assessments a teacher is preparing them for their future.
Educational assessment has two primary functions. The first of these is to determine a student’s eligibility for special education services, as prescribed by the Individuals with Disabilities
Kaufman, Roger, and Mayer, Hanna, and Rojas, Alicia M. Needs Assessment: A User’s Guide. Educational Technology Publication: Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, 1993.
Francis Marion University utilizes many different types of assessments in order to evaluate their current programs. Needs assessments are conducted for different areas of study in order to determine if there is a need for a new
Whiston, S. C. (2009). Principles and applications of assessment in counseling. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.
Whiston, S. C. (2009). Principles and applications of assessment in counseling. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning.
Assessment is an essential part of education. Teachers can use ‘information about student progress’ (MCEETYA 2008, p. 14) to ‘improve learning outcomes’ (Ferguson 2011, p. 391), and to make informed decisions about future planning and strategies (Godhino 2011, p. 200). This type of assessment is known as ‘assessment for learning’ (Godhino 2011, p. 201). Assessment can also be used to ‘make judgements about students’ achievement of objectives, goals and standards, [this is known as] assessment of learning’ (Godhino 2011, p. 201). Another form of assessment is ‘assessment as learning’ (Godhino 2011, p. 201) which involves students reflecting on their progress.
Douglas Reeves (2007) believes “assessment is most productive when its purpose is for learning” (p.3). In both the performance based assessment and constructed response assessment students are able to demonstrate their and apply what they know. Throughout this process students are still learning. The goal of assessments should be to provide an opportunity for continued learning for students, and as a result the teacher is able to gather evidence of their learning. As a teacher, I have often seen assessments solely as a way to measure student learning. However, I think going forward it will better serve my students if I see assessments as a way to extend their learning. With that in mind, when planning I will need to stray away from traditional assessments that do not promote student learning and have not produced positive results. Instead, having the courage to try something new will help to better serves the learning needs of my students (Reeves, 2007, p. 9). Providing students with learning experiences through assessments is the best way to extend learning and understanding for students. If student learning is the true goal, assessments must be used as a way to help student learn
Espinosa (2010) states, “Conducting accurate, systematic, and meaningful assessments can provide key insights into the development and abilities for our children, thus providing the basis of effective individualized instruction,” (p.99). As the children and families schools serve become increasingly diverse in culture, language, ethnicity, and economics, schools have a responsibility to make sure accommodations are made in practices and procedures so students are not impacted by conditions which may interfere with students demonstrating their knowledge.
Assessments in the classroom are ongoing. Assessments are important for teaching in the classroom and for assisting in continuing the learning process of the students. Three purposes of assessment are to measure the amount of information a student has learned and retained, identify a students’ learning needs in and outside the classroom, and gather evidence to help increase learning for the students.
He continues that they “provide teachers with useful information that can form the basis for improving their instructional plans and practices. Huerta- Marcias (2002) states that in alternative assessment, the data compiled on individual students provide a clear picture of each student’s development through the various work samples
Assessment is used in multiple ways in a classroom to help evaluate the student in their learning. Within the book and article, assessment has a wide variety of ranges and uses in determining a child’s level of understand a topic. In the book, McAfee and Leong, explains how assessment when used responsibility when evaluating a child. Whereas in the article, Stockall, Dennis, and Rueter explains the use of progress-monitoring portfolios in assessment for special need students and variety information on progress-monitoring portfolio.
As I reflect on my past assessment process, I realized how much my assessments have changed over the years. In my early years, I used tests for informational recall as my assessments. I felt these were appropriate guidelines in which I needed to follow in order to substantiate a student’s grade. Every assignment or tests was given a point value and then based on the amount of points, a grade was given. Every student’s assessment was exactly the same, and the assessments did not contain any subjectivity. I felt confident in giving the grade based on a valid point system. However reflecting back, I see that I did not include any performance-based assessments or individual learning styles in my early assessment. I also did not take into consideration the individual needs of my students. My assessment approach was awful. I am embarrassed that I use to assess students in this manner.