Question

Distinguish between assessment of learning and assessment for learning

Answer 1

Answer:

What is the difference?

Assessment OF learning involves looking at assessment information at the end of the teaching and learning process to rank students’ achievement levels against a standard. It is summative in nature and typically involves standardized tests. Assessment OF learning scores are often used to rate teachers’ or schools’ ability to move student achievement based on the results of single, point-in-time tests — e.g., those generated by Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) or state tests.

What’s the future?

One day I hope that the conflation goes away. Why? Because what we should really be talking about is assessment AS learning – a process where students are aware of their own learning objectives, where they take responsibility for meeting those objectives, and where teachers assist students in their individualized learning paths. (An added benefit of assessment as learning is that it can be used to help students self-reflect on their behavior and attitudes as well as their learning.)

Only when we stop doing assessment to students or for students and do assessment with students will we truly be building their intellectual independence and ability to think critically.

To hear teachers talking about the results of using assessment AS learning, watch this video on how students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools responded to teachers’ efforts to share assessment results on an ongoing basis.