Assessment+Examples

During the past few years, concerns about the U.S. economy have prompted heated debates about vocational education and employment training programs. Experts have called for a variety of reforms as a result: changes in curriculum content, in teaching methods, and in methods of assessment. Reports on the inadequate skills of high school graduates, the rapidly changing demands of many employers, and the declining competitiveness of U.S. firms in the international marketplace have also stimulated a variety of proposals to change the organization and structure of employment preparation programs. Despite different approaches to reform, all sides seem to agree on the need for valid, reliable, and affordable methods for assessing students' skills.

Assessment examples:
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When you want to test a student's knowledge of history or mathematical facts, a paper-and-pencil test may be the most appropriate.

When you want to assess a student's ability to think and solve problems as a member of a team, a performance event such as a group-led experiment or problem-solving exercise would probably be a more fitting assessment strategy.

When you want to assess the quality of a student's work over time, and progress made, a portfolio may be the most valuable method.

One form of assessment is not necessarily better than another in all contexts. Rather, one form might be more appropriate than another, depending on your purpose, the knowledge and skills to be assessed, and quality and feasibility considerations.