Assessment for Learning

“When formative and summative assessment systems operate interdependently-the formative data improve student confidence and ultimately results in the summative assessment data- learning happens. When the communication of the results points to what comes next in the learning, then students can operate with a high degree of independence, hope, and efficacy as they strive to improve along the way.” What a beautiful way to sum up the chapter on the purpose of why we use assessments in education.

Knowing that assessment can be part of building students into independent and effective students is enough motivation for me to understand the purpose of assessment and the most effective way to use it to benefit the students. Because I have not practiced summative assessment as an educator, I feel confused about the balance between summative and formative. However, the text did explain that it isn’t used in a 50/50 format, which I already gathered.  This statement also affirmed to me how important explicit instruction is when practicing assessments with children, communication is key.  To act, my goal is first to ask my practicum coach about assessments and how she uses them effectively in the classroom. Second, I would like to watch some videos to understand further. Sometimes I have difficulty wrapping my head around concepts if it is purely reading. Last, I want to organize visually what I have learnt about assessment in order for it to stay in my long-term memory.