ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the process of development of instruments intended to assess content knowledge in both the context of large-scale assessment and the classroom context. It also offers ideas for teachers to make assessment work in the benefit of their instruction. The chapter provides the following sections: How Large-Scale Tests Are Made, Using Assessment beyond Grading, and Developing Classroom Performance Assessments. It explains the process of test development in large-scale assessment programs. Critical to this process is the view of assessment as a sample of tasks. The chapter shows how, in order to benefit from assessment, educators need to be able to establish meaningful relationships between the content of tests and the content of their teaching. It also discusses why it is important for educators to be able to create their own assessments. The chapter explores the value of developing assessments as a professional development experience that opens doors for opportunities for collaboration with colleagues.
