Formative vs. Summative Assessments Kurstin Bush August 9, 2011 Kurstin Bush August 9, 2011

Discussion Question: What are some ways you typically assess students in your classroom? What are some ways you typically assess students in your classroom?

Discussion Question:  When do you assess? (Traditionally, teachers have assessed students at the end of an instructional unit or sequence.)  When do you assess? (Traditionally, teachers have assessed students at the end of an instructional unit or sequence.)

The Assessment-Instruction Process Summative Assessment “making sure” Formative Assessment “checking in” “feedback” “student involvement” Pre – Assessment “finding out” ASSESSMENT.ppt

Pre-Assessment Strategies  Checklist  Pre-test  KWL Charts  Graphic Organizers  Pre-test  Student Discussions  Student Demonstrations  Checklist  Pre-test  KWL Charts  Graphic Organizers  Pre-test  Student Discussions  Student Demonstrations Student Products Student Work Samples Show of hands/EPR (Every Pupil Response) Standardized Test Data Teacher Observation Writing Prompts Writing Samples

Formative Assessments: Assessments FOR learning happens while learning is still underway. These are assessments that:  are conducted throughout teaching and learning to diagnose student needs  plan the next steps in instruction  provide students with feedback they can use to improve the quality of their work  help students see and feel how they are in control of their journey to success Assessments FOR learning happens while learning is still underway. These are assessments that:  are conducted throughout teaching and learning to diagnose student needs  plan the next steps in instruction  provide students with feedback they can use to improve the quality of their work  help students see and feel how they are in control of their journey to success

Definition:  Formative assessment delivers information during the instructional process, before the summative assessment. Both the teacher and the student use formative assessment results to make decisions about what actions to take to promote further learning. It is an ongoing, dynamic process that involves far more than frequent testing, and measurement of student learning is just one of its components.  Almost any assessment instrument can be used for summative or formative purposes, but some, by design, are better suited to summative use and others to formative use.  Formative assessment delivers information during the instructional process, before the summative assessment. Both the teacher and the student use formative assessment results to make decisions about what actions to take to promote further learning. It is an ongoing, dynamic process that involves far more than frequent testing, and measurement of student learning is just one of its components.  Almost any assessment instrument can be used for summative or formative purposes, but some, by design, are better suited to summative use and others to formative use. ASCD Educational Leadership: December 2007/January 2008 | Volume 65 | Number 4 e

Formative Assessment Strategies:  Learning Logs  Oral Attitude Surveys  Oral Presentations  Peer Evaluations  Problem Solving Activities  Products  Questioning  Quiz  Response Groups  Self-Evaluations  Learning Logs  Oral Attitude Surveys  Oral Presentations  Peer Evaluations  Problem Solving Activities  Products  Questioning  Quiz  Response Groups  Self-Evaluations Conference Cooperative Learning Activities Demonstrations Exit Card Graphic Organizers “I Learned” Statements  Interviews  Journal Entry  KWLs

Effective Formative Assessments Provide the Following: 1.Provide a clear and understandable vision of the learning target 2.Use examples and models of strong and weak work 3. Offer regular descriptive feedback. 4.Teach students to self-assess and set goals. 5. Engage students in self-reflection, and let them keep track of and share their learning. 1.Provide a clear and understandable vision of the learning target 2.Use examples and models of strong and weak work 3. Offer regular descriptive feedback. 4.Teach students to self-assess and set goals. 5. Engage students in self-reflection, and let them keep track of and share their learning.

Summative Assessment A summative assessment/evaluation is designed to:  provide information  make judgments about student achievement at the end of a sequence of instruction, (e.g., final drafts/attempts, tests, exam, assignments, projects, performances) It is a means to determine a student’s mastery and understanding of information, skills, concepts, or processes. A summative assessment/evaluation is designed to:  provide information  make judgments about student achievement at the end of a sequence of instruction, (e.g., final drafts/attempts, tests, exam, assignments, projects, performances) It is a means to determine a student’s mastery and understanding of information, skills, concepts, or processes.

Summative Assessment Strategies  Unit Test  Performance Task  Product/Exhibit  Demonstration  Portfolio Review  Unit Test  Performance Task  Product/Exhibit  Demonstration  Portfolio Review

Points to Remember: Formative Assessment:  Refers to what happens on a daily basis in the classroom  Provides teachers with information about specific next instructional steps for students: Assessment Drives Instruction  Students know where they are at instructionally and where they need to go  On-going assessment provides continual feedback that helps students progress over time Formative Assessment:  Refers to what happens on a daily basis in the classroom  Provides teachers with information about specific next instructional steps for students: Assessment Drives Instruction  Students know where they are at instructionally and where they need to go  On-going assessment provides continual feedback that helps students progress over time