(IN)FORMATIVE
ASSESSMENT
August 2011
Are You… ASSESSMENT SAVVY?

Skilled in gathering accurate
information about students
learning?

Using it effectively to
promote further learning?
Workshop Objectives
Understand the various reasons as to why
assessment is essential in teaching/learning

Describe 3 types of assessments and
identify the purpose of each (why)

Identify assessment targets (what)

Explain various methods of
assessment (how)

Apply assessment information to
current teaching experience
HOW DO YOU ASSESS?
List some ways you typically assess
students in your classroom.
1.
2.
3.
4.
WHEN DO YOU ASSESS?
Traditionally, teachers have assessed
students at the end of an instructional
unit or sequence.
However, when assessment and
instruction are interwoven, both
the students and the teacher
benefit.
ASSESSMENT PROCESS
Summative
Assessment
Pre –
Assessment
(Assessment OF
Learning)
Formative
Assessment
(Assessment FOR Learning)
PRE-ASSESSMENT

The purpose of pre-assessment is to
determine what students know about a
topic before it is taught.

Pre-assessment will help the teacher
determine flexible grouping patterns and
should be used regularly.
Pre-Assessment Strategies
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Checklist
Pre-test
KWL Charts
Graphic Organizers
Pre-test
Student Discussions
Student
Demonstrations

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Student Products
Student Work Samples
Show of hands/EPR
(Every Pupil Response)
Standardized Test Data
Teacher Observation
Writing Prompts
Writing Samples
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Assessments FOR learning happens
while learning is still underway.
These are assessments that:
 are conducted throughout teaching and

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learning to diagnose student needs
plan the next steps in instruction
provide students with feedback they can use
to improve the quality of their work
help students see and feel how they are in
control of their journey to success
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
This Type of
Assessment
is NOT about
accountability…
it is about GETTING
BETTER!!
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Seven Strategies
Where am I going?
1. Provide a clear and understandable vision of
the learning target
What Can Be Assessed?
ACHIEVEMENT TARGETS
Knowledge
Mastery
Reasoning
Proficiency
Performance
Skills
Ability to
Create Products
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Seven Strategies
Where am I going?
1. Provide a clear and understandable vision of
the learning target
2. Use examples and models of strong and weak
work
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Seven Strategies
Where am I now?
3. Offer regular descriptive feedback.
4. Teach students to self-assess and set goals.
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Seven Strategies
How can I close the gap??
5. Design lessons to focus on one aspect of quality
at a time.
6. Teach students focused revision.
7. Engage students in self-reflection,
and let them keep track of and
share their learning.
Formative Assessment
Strategies
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 “I Learned” Statements
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 Interviews
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 Journal Entry
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 KWLs

Conference
Cooperative Learning
Activities
Demonstrations
Exit Card
Graphic Organizers
Learning Logs
Oral Attitude Surveys
Oral Presentations
Peer Evaluations
Problem Solving Activities
Products
Questioning
Quiz
Response Groups
Self-Evaluations
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
This type of
assessment is
a successful
end product
and/or the
fulfilling of
the pre-stated
objective.
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
A summative assessment/evaluation is designed
to:


provide information
make judgments about student achievement at
the end of a sequence of instruction, (e.g., final
drafts/attempts, tests, exam, assignments,
projects, performances)
It is a means to determine a student’s
mastery and understanding of information,
skills, concepts, or processes.
Summative Assessment
Strategies
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Unit Test
Performance Task
Product/Exhibit
Demonstration
Portfolio Review
The Assessment–Instruction
Process
Summative
Assessment
Pre –
Assessment
“finding out”
“making sure”
Formative
Assessment
“checking in” “feedback”
“student involvement”
What types of Assessment
Methods Can Be Used?
ASSESSMENT METHODS
Selected
Response
Extended Written
Response
Performance
Assessments
Personal
Communication
What types of Assessment
Methods Can Be Used?
ASSESSMENT METHODS
Selected
Response
Students select
the correct/best
response from
a list provided
Multiple choice, true/false, matching,
short answer, fill-in questions
What types of Assessment
Methods Can Be Used?
ASSESSMENT METHODS
Extended Written
Response
Students construct a written
answer in response
to a question or task
Compare …… Analyze…… Interpret….
Solve a problem and explain work… Describe in detail…
What types of Assessment
Methods Can Be Used?
ASSESSMENT METHODS
Assessment is based on
observing a performance/product
and making a judgment
Performance
Assessments
Performances:
*playing an instrument,
*carrying out steps in
an experiment
*speaking in a foreign language
*working productively
in a group
Products:
*term paper
*lab report
*work of art
What types of Assessment
Methods Can Be Used?
ASSESSMENT METHODS
*Responding to
journals/logs
*Asking questions
during instruction
*Interviewing students
in conferences
*Giving examinations
orally
Determine what a student
has learned through
personal interaction with them
Personal
Communication
Matching Assessment
Targets and Methods
Targets
Knowledge
Mastery
Reasoning
Proficiency
Skills
Ability to
Create Products
Selected
Response
Extended
Written
Response
Performance
Assessment
Match the assessments at
your table with the target
and method
Personal
Communication
Classroom Assessments
Some teachers
talk about:
LEARNING
Some teachers
talk about:
VERSUS
GRADES
Can these co-exist peacefully?
 Should one receive emphasis over the other?

SOME FINAL THOUGHTS
Formative Assessment:

Refers to what happens on a daily basis in the
classroom

Provides teachers with information about specific
next instructional steps for students:
Assessment Drives Instruction.

Students know where they are at instructionally
and where they need to go

On-going assessment provides continual
feedback that helps students progress over time
(IN)FORMATIVE
ASSESSMENT