Purpose of Assessment

Why are you assessing?

Assessment is used in courses to determine how well students are meeting goals that have been set (e.g., goals around job performance, goals around changes in knowledge).

Measurable outcomes from assessments should be comparable with or benchmarked against set course goals. Assessment outcomes, in turn, should inform further instruction.

Set a Purpose

The purpose of assessment in postsecondary courses varies as well. Assessments are often designed to gather student data that will yield information about accountability, student progress, and instruction.

Accountability

Assessing student performance with respect to job preparation, prerequisites, and university or college program goals

Student Progress

Assessing changes in student performance over time as a result of instruction (assessment of learning)

Instruction

Probing student responses to instruction in order to optimize the course of learning (assessment for learning)

SOURCE: CAST. “UDL and Assessment.” UDL On Campus: UDL and Assessment, udloncampus.cast.org/page/assessment_udl.

Assessment

OF LEARNING

Summative assessments are used to evaluate student learning, skill acquisition, and academic achievement at the conclusion of a defined instructional period—typically at the end of a project, unit, course, semester, or program.

Summative Assessments

Assessment

FOR LEARNING

The general goal of formative assessment is to collect detailed information that can be used to improve instruction and student learning while it’s happening.

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENTS

ASSESSMENT MAIN MENU