Gathering Information

This chapter details many ways of collecting information about student performance. Diagnostic assessment, formative assessment, and summative assessment all work together to inform teaching and learning throughout a lesson or unit. Summative assessment is what comes to mind when many people think of “assessment,” but summative assessment is the assessment type that supports learning the least. Assessment for learning, as opposed to assessment of learning, is the type of classroom assessment that helps students know where they are going, where they are now, and how to get there. Assessment design can improve validity. A nearly infinite variety of possible assessment methods, or ways to gather information, exists. The most common methods in schools can be categorized as selected response, written response, verbal response, performance or demonstration, personal communication, portfolios, quick formative assessment techniques, and self and peer assessment. Using a variety of methods helps to ensure curricular comprehensiveness.