3 Types of Assessment Commonly Used in Education

Teachers in education use several types of assessment strategies to evaluate the growth and understanding of students in their classrooms. Understanding different types of assessments allows teachers to apply the correct strategies and help students in challenging areas.

Testing

Students in elementary, middle and high school are given standardized tests to evaluate their abilities and the improvements a school or district is making over time. The tests are used as an evaluation tool that allows teachers to find out where students need improvement and the areas of education that are meeting or exceeding expectations.

Tests are designed to meet specific standards based on grade level, expected knowledge, timing and the time of year when exams are provided. Teachers assess the information provided on a school-wide basis and make changes to ensure students understand key concepts in the classroom that were missed on the test.

While the standardized tests are a useful evaluation tool for districts and schools, teachers also use quizzes and tests in the classroom to determine the ability of individual students. The assessment tool allows teachers to determine where the class needs more work and when it is time to move onto a new subject.

Process assessment

Among the types of assessment teachers want to use in the classroom environment are the evaluation of milestones and the reaching educational goals. According to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, process assessment is the identification of milestones and the activities used to reach the goals, and the evaluation of results after reaching the goal.

In education, process assessment focuses on the creation of lesson plans and timelines for classroom activities and expected outcomes in the classroom. Teachers use lesson plans to make goals and possible activities that will incorporate several learning styles. When the assessment is complete, teachers can determine if the students need more time on a particular subject, are ahead of schedule or are on track for the expected level of learning.

Performance assessment

Performance assessment is the evaluation of learning through alternative evaluation strategies. The assessment tools teachers often employ for this are oral presentations, written essays, journals and portfolios that cover a variety of projects.

The assessment tools focus on self-evaluation, making improvements and catching problems in the lesson plan to improve the classroom environment when students are struggling.

Standardized tests are not enough to determine the educational needs of students. Teachers need to use several types of assessment tools to understand where students need extra help and when to move onto the next study topic. By using a combination of different assessment strategies, teachers are providing a learning environment that encourages students to explore, learn and grow over the course of the year.