(Originally published by ASCD on March 20, 2023.)
When I began teaching 3rd grade, my assessments included observing, conferencing, designing investigations, giving quizzes and tests, and administering required standardized tests. While some of these assessments were useful in improving student learning because I could immediately determine what students did or did not know and take action on what they needed next, I often ignored results I couldn’t immediately use because all I had was an overall score or grade for the assignment. In those cases, I just moved on—assessment evidence from selecting the correct multiple-choice answer or completing a memorized routine told me little about a student’s ability to transfer learning to a new situation.
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