Reference Guide to Principles and Practices—Questions and Answers
What is assessment?
Assessment is the ongoing process of understanding, improving
and documenting student learning.
Why do we do assessment?
To improve student learning.
Is there more to it?
Yes. We assess to observe student performance, reflect the
performances back to the student, and guide the student to increased
awareness about developing their knowledge and skills.
How does assessment help faculty?
It provides the faculty with useful information about the
students, including their qualities as learners and their readiness for
learning. Ongoing assessment informs the teacher about the pace and progress
of student learning in the classroom.
How do grades and grading practices fit into assessment?
Grading can have several uses. As part of an assessment
technique, grades can provide quantifiable and quickly understood feedback
for student performance. As part of summative evaluation, grades are often a
necessary element in certifying student performance measured against course
outcomes. In general, grades are most effective in confirming to students
what they have already discovered about their learning and achievement
through an ongoing process of meaningful academic assessment.
Does student assessment affect faculty evaluation?
No. At the classroom level, assessment is informed by the
expertise and professional judgment of the teacher and does not need to be
shared outside the classroom. At the course and program level, assessment
data is collected and analyzed in the aggregate, and not by individual
classes or teachers.
