Student Centered Formative Assessment

An evaluation informed by three sources:

http://www.fairtest.org/value-formative-assessment-pdf

http://www.nmsa.org/Publications/WebExclusive/Assessment/tabid/1120/Default.aspx

http://www.lincoln.k12.or.us/Files/Formative%20Assessment%20Strategies.pdf

Formative assessment distinguishes itself in its focus on in process assessment of students' learning--a contrast to the more tradition and much more common summative assessment which assess students' learning after the process of covering content (i.e., Unit Tests, State-Assessments). Their are two opinions that were expressed in the sources in terms of how best to implement formative assessment, though all sources agreed on the merit of relying on formative assessment. There is the opinion (in Formative and Summative Assessment in the Classroom) that there should be a balance of reliance on both formative and summative styles. This is based on the understanding that formative in process assessment will allow for micro-assessment of students learning on specific topics, allowing adjustment and identifying needs especially in terms of remediation. However, likening this to grading students on their practice of the material, there is a need to assess there ability to demonstrate whole understanding--which only summative assessment can provide.

The other opinion (in The Value of Formative Assessment) is that a class successfully implementing formative assessment, needs only to rely on that. That is to assume that the flexibility and responsiveness that formative assessment provides, coupled with spiraling of content, can better support students' development of compounding understanding--the success of which will be demonstrated in process.

I find myself supporting this opinion and rely on the final source (Formative Assessment Strategies) as a model for creating a classroom culture that relies on formative assessment. I find that the spiraling assessment, flexibility, and responsiveness that a successful formative assessment provides can be more effective than summative assessment.