Teaching and Learning

Assessing Your Assessments

Think about the following considerations as you are developing your assessments:

* Is the assessment directly evaluating only the KEY CONCEPTS and SKILLS you (and/or your students) identified as essential before the beginning of the unit? Remember, LESS IS MORE; a few key concepts and skills well-assessed is much better than a long list. Don't assess participation, etc. UNLESS you list them as key skills or concepts. FOCUS ON WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE LESSON.

* Are there periodic embedded/formative assessments (to monitor student progress and adjust instruction) as well as a final assessment? These are quick and simple strategies to tell you what the kids have learned from a lesson.

* Are students required to demonstrate, perform, or exhibit behaviors or products required by a task?

* Does the assessment replicate the challenges of real-world tasks whenever possible?

* Were students given an opportunity to apply and show what they learned in a variety of ways (Multiple Intelligences and learning styles)?

* Does the assessment reflect only what students have had an opportunity to learn and practice?

* Is the assessment focused on application of knowledge and skills to a new situation or to solve a problem?

* Does the assessment focus on supporting students to show you what they know about the topic rather than what they don’t know?

* Do students have the opportunity to self-assess and/or reflect?

* Did students see the criteria of success (rubric) before the unit so they knew what was expected of them?

* Did the students help develop the evaluation rubric?

* Did students understand the evaluation rubric before the unit?