Assessing and recording

Assessing

Assessing is the process of collecting, analysing and recording information about student progress towards achievement of Syllabus outcomes. An important purpose of assessment is to design appropriate learning programs for all students. The principles below underpin effective assessment.

• Assessment is integral to teaching and learning. It should be based on the learning outcomes in talking, listening, reading and writing that specify what students know, understand and are able to do with language.
• A variety of assessment strategies and contexts should be used to give students opportunities to demonstrate, in an authentic manner, what they understand about language as well as what they can do.
• Assessment procedures should relate to the knowledge and skills that are taught within the school program, and to the Syllabus outcomes.
• Assessment must be reliable in that it consistently produces results that accurately reflect a student's ability to perform that task. It must be valid in that it actually measures what it is intended to measure.

English K-6 Syllabus, page 87-88

The DET Quality teaching documents also provide important reference points for effective assessment and evaluation practices.

Recording assessment information

Modules 2, 3 and 4 of Literacy online - Stage 2 contain example proformas that can be used to record assessment data. The proformas can be viewed and downloaded from those modules.

Online Discussion

What processes do you currently find valuable in undertaking effective assessment and in recording assessment information?