Assessing Student Knowledge

When teachers are able to uncover and assess individual student interests and strengths, they can plan appropriate learning activities that foster active intellectual engagement with content as well as a motivation to learn.

Teachers use a variety of assessments in their classrooms to meet many needs. Formative assessments used before and during learning help teachers deliver instruction at the appropriate level. Summative assessments used at the end of the learning unit gauge final understanding. Both formative and summative assessments are important to student achievement, and knowledge of students and how they learn are key to effective instruction.

Understanding how and when to implement summative and formative assessment strategies helps to create an accurate, meaningful picture of student knowledge.

Topic A:  Assessment and Instruction Interconnectedness

Topic B:  Types of Assessment

Topic C:  Assessment Strategies

 Learning Outcomes

• Gather information about student readiness, interests, and/or learning profiles to increase learning.
• Consider and select appropriate formative and summative assessment strategies to support and measure learning.
• Select a method to maintain student assessment data.
• Evaluate professional practices and determine appropriate adjustments.