ABSTRACT

This chapter describes the key to sound assessment. In any assessment context, we must begin assessment development with a clear vision of what it means for our students to succeed. Because there is no single assessment method capable of assessing all of these various forms of achievement, one cannot select a proper method without a focused sense of which of these expectations are to be assessed. Our assessment challenge is to know how to match the assessment method with an intended achievement target. In this context, circumstances make it impossible for the teacher to conduct the high-quality assessments needed to generate the accurate achievement records needed to produce report-card grades reflective of actual student achievement. Clearly, Jay can and should work with his colleagues to articulate clear and appropriate targets; he can focus sharply on his grading purpose; and he can even identify proper assessment methods given his expectations.