6 Types Of Assessment Of Learning

If curriculum is the what of teaching, and learning models are the how, assessment is the puzzled “Hmmmm”–as in, I assumed this and this about student learning, but after giving this assessment, well….”Hmmmmm.”

So what are the different types of assessment of learning?

This graphic below from McGraw Hill offers up six forms; the next time someone says ‘assessment,’ you can say “Which type, and what are we doing with the data?” like the professional you are.

In The Difference Between Assessment Of Learning And Assessment For Learning, we explained that “assessment for learning is commonly referred to as formative assessment–that is, an assessment designed to inform instruction.” Below, we offer 6 types of assessment of learning–very briefly, with simple ways to ‘think about’ each so that you hopefully wake up with a better grasp of each type.

1. Diagnostic Assessment (as Pre-Assessment)

One way to think about it: Assesses a student’s strengths, weaknesses, knowledge, and skills prior to instruction.

Another way to think about it: A baseline to work from

2. Formative Assessment

One way to think about it: Assesses a student’s performance during instruction, and usually occurs regularly throughout the instruction process.

Another way to think about it: Like a doctor’s ‘check-up’ to provide data to revise instruction

3. Summative Assessment

One way to think about it: Measures a student’s achievement at the end of instruction.

Another way to think about it: It’s macabre, but if the formative assessment is the check-up, you might think of summative assessment as the autopsy. What happened? Now that it’s all over, what went right and what went wrong?

4. Norm-Referenced Assessment

One way to think about it: Compares a student’s performance against other students (a national group or other “norm”)

Another way to think about it: Group or ‘Demographic’ assessment

5. Criterion-Referenced Assessment

One way to think about it: Measures a student’s performance against a goal, specific objective, or standard.

Another way to think about it: a bar to measure all students against

6. Interim/Benchmark Assessment

One way to think about it: Evaluates student performance at periodic intervals, frequently at the end of a grading period. Can predict student performance on end-of-the-year summative assessments.

Another way to think about it: Bar graph growth through a year

by TeachThought Staff