1. Most people think of tests and exams that evaluate student learning as primary examples of assessment, but those are examples of
assessment of learning. Assessment for learning, also known as classroom assessment, is different.
It is not used to evaluate learning but to help learners learn better. It does so by helping both students and teachers to see:
• the learning goals and criteria
• where each learner is in relation to the goals
• where they need to go next
• and ways to get there
Many studies have been done over the years to gauge the effectiveness of assessment for learning, and a review of this research in
1998 by Black and Wiliam found that assessment for learning is one of the most powerful ways to improve learning, especially among
students who find learning to be more challenging.
This is exciting for educators!
By applying the principles and techniques of assessment for learning, we can help students learn better now and achieve more in all
areas of their educational experience.
In addition, assessment for learning is based upon an understanding of student motivation and the psychology of learning, so students
become better learners for the rest of their lives as a result of their successful learning experiences.
Assessment for learning makes a difference for students, and from what we have seen, it also results in a more satisfying and
enjoyable experience for teachers. Educators become more aware of how students learn and become more engaged with students in
the learning process, helping them to set goals and criteria, evaluate their progress, and experience the many small "wins" that lead to
them reaching their goals.
New classroom assessment techniques are developed so that teachers can be more methodical and systematic in their teaching and
see how these methods can be successfully implemented in the classroom. One can almost believe that the classroom is the new lab:
the learning process is going to be dissected, analyzed, and improved, and the final product implemented in a proper manner.
A good classroom assessment technique is important and will involve both the teacher and the students. The student’s learning process
is going to be monitored continuously. The faculty is going to be provided with data and feedback that will show the progress of the
teacher as an effective instructor. The student will be given details about his progress as a learner.
One of the reasons why classroom assessment techniques are quite popular with instructors and teachers is because these techniques
are created, analyzed, and then implemented by the teachers themselves. The teachers look into different aspects of learning as well as
teaching, and look at the strong points and weak points in different classroom assessment techniques. Once they have made up a
“blueprint” for a new experimental technique, they have the opportunity to incorporate it into their own teaching system and program.
Many good classroom assessment techniques start with a bit of trial and error. The students are observed closely during the learning
process and given frequent opportunities to offer feedback so that the teachers can get to know more about the student response to
some new and innovative teaching approaches. These techniques can give the teacher a rough idea about how well, how much, and
what their students are learning. This information is very useful for getting faculty to re-focus and re-plan their teaching methods so
that the learning procedure can become more effective and efficient.
Classroom assessment techniques are based on one major point: do not assume. A teacher who thinks that his students are learning
what has been taught to them might be disappointed when the time comes to grade the papers. That is the reason why the students
and the teachers need to monitor the learning process. This means that the students should participate in giving accurate feedback
on new assessment techniques.
Assessment plan
The plan is designed to provide informationabout the extent towhich the University is accomplishing its goals, particularlywith respect
to studentoutcomes. When the plan presented here is fullyimplemented, we believe that there will bea reasonable basis for judgingthe
extent to which the University is being successful indeveloping itsstudents. The plan is an essential part of our reports to
accreditingagencies,including the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, as wellasvarious disciplinary or professional
associations. More importantly, the information generated should be useful to members of the University community in improving
programs designed to achieve student outcomes.
Development and implementation of the University's assessment plan reflect the following general guidelines which have emerged
from discussions in the University's Planning Committee, Assessment Committee, and Academic Policy Council. The guidelines are
not fixed rules but represent general dispositions regarding a variety of assessment-related issues, particularly as those issues are being
discussed in higher education circles today.
1. The principal, although not exclusive, focus of attention for the assessment plan is student outcomes. That is, the plan should help to
answer the question: What happens to our students as a result of their experiences at the University of Scranton?
Other University outcomes are of interest in the assessment plan, but only of secondary interest at this time. Within the next several
years, we expect to concentrate our attention on those aspects of the assessment plan which relate most directly to student outcomes.
Some attention will be devoted to other University goals, even within the next several years; and after elements of the assessment plan
for student outcomes are well established, additional attention will be devoted to the other goals.
2. Student outcomes should be broadly conceived to include both academic and non-academic outcomes. Academic outcomes center
mainly on the knowledge and skills developed in the major field of study and on the intended outcomes of general education. Non-
academic outcomes include such matters as the development of character, moral sensibilities, proclivities towards leadership and
volunteer work, etc.
3. The University's mission statement should be a key document in determining what student outcomes will be addressed. Further, the
assessment plan itself should incorporate mechanisms for continually monitoring the vitality and relevance of the mission statement.

2. 4. A modest plan is desired. The plan is not designed to "measure everything that moves." The immediate goal is to have an
identifiable but modest plan that provides meaningful feedback to members of the University community. The plan is not are
placement for how instructors evaluate their students, although in some instances elements of the plan may eventually supplement
such evaluation. Experience suggests that elaborate, elegant structures for assessment usually collapse from their own weight.
Inaccord with our desire for a modest plan, to the extent possible, existing mechanisms or processes will be used for the collection and
analysis of assessment information.
5. The plan should encourage individual units (departments, offices, etc.) within the University to develop their own assessment
activities. Again, experience suggests that the most effective utilization of assessment information occurs when individual units have a
sense of ownership and participation in how results are used. We want to encourage that sense of ownership and participation.
For purposes of reporting to external agencies, there is an unfortunate by-product of this predisposition to decentralize assessment.
External agencies often want to know precisely what assessment is occurring and what effects it has had. To the extent that we are
successful in fostering a very widespread ownership of assessment, it becomes difficult to answer the question of precisely what is
taking place and precisely what its effects are. We believe that it is worth contending with this difficulty in order to gain the
advantages associated with decentralization.
6. There should be an emphasis on utilization of assessment information for purposes of improvement. To be sure, much of the
information garnered from parts of the assessment plan can be used in an accountability framework. However, we will, whenever
possible, attempt to aim our assessment efforts at improving the way we go about the University's business, which is principally to
educate students.
7. A major effort will be made to communicate results from the assessment plan to the University community, again with an eye
toward improvement. We do not want to collect a lot of information which just sits on the shelf. We will try to resist the temptation to
collect more information when currently available information has not been digested or to create entirely new assessment processes
when the current processes need improvement.
Authentic assessment is an umbrella concept that refers to the measurement of "intellectual accomplishments that are worthwhile,
significant, and meaningful,"[1] as compared to multiple choice standardized tests.[2] Authentic assessment can be devised by the
teacher, or in collaboration with the student by engaging student voice. When applying authentic assessment to student learning and
achievement, a teacher applies criteria related to “construction of knowledge, disciplined inquiry, and the value of achievement
beyond the school.”
Authentic assessment reflects educational policy research that recommends a "high priority on strategies that research has already
shown to increase student learning."[citation needed]
Authentic assessment tends to focus on complex or contextualised tasks, enabling students to demonstrate their competency in a more
'authentic' setting. Examples of authentic assessments include:
• performance of the skills, or demonstrating use of a particular knowledge
• simulations and role plays
• studio portfolios, strategically selecting items
• exhibitions and displays
Assessment is an ongoing process of setting high expectations for student learning, measuring progress toward established learning
outcomes, and providing a basis for reflection, discussion and feedback to improve University academic programs. It is a systematic
and cyclic process that makes expectations and standards explicit and public.
Performance based task require performance based assessement in which the actual student peoformance is assessed through a product
such as completed project or work that demonstrate levels of task achievement.
Performance based task require performance based assessement in which the actual student peoformance is assessed through a product
such as completed project or work that demonstrate levels of task achievement.
For education in school to be effective, the environment needs to be conducive to learning, allowing the pupils space and time to
interact within the learning and teaching process. Creating and maintaining stimulating learning environments can be achieved
through effective classroom organisation, interactive and whole school displays and a climate of innovation.
Teachers are important and make a difference. The quality of teaching is a crucial factor in promoting effective learning in
schools. Effective teaching requires individuals who are academically able and who care about the well-being of children and
youth.
Points Arising from Research
The most powerful single factor that enhances achievement is feedback – positive, encouraging, clearly targeted.
The setting of appropriate, specific and challenging goals is critical.
Effective teachers make purpose and content explicit, plan carefully, use systematic assessment and feedback, make connections,
encourage children to think about thinking and model what they want the children to do.