Comprehensive Assessment System
The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC)
Formative Assessments
"Formative assessment, is a process used by teachers and students during instruction that provides feedback to adjust ongoing teaching and learning 'in real time' to improve students' achievement of intended instructional outcomes." (CCSSO, FAST SCASS Oct. 2006) Also known as assessment for learning, does not refer to a specific instrument or 'test' but certain tools are used in the process of collecting formative assessment data.
- PROCESS used during instruction
- FEEDBACK to adjust on-going teaching and learning
- INFORMS daily instructional decisions about student and class
- TIMING controlled by the teacher
- LINKED to daily/weekly objectives and/or activities in support of standards
- RESULTS reported short cycle and used in 'real time'
- CONTINUAL administration
- DESIGN related to learner characteristics
"Classroom assessments FOR learning" (formative) "informs instructional decisions along the way to success." (Stiggins R. 2006)
Interim Assessments
"Assessment administered multiple times during a school year, usually outside of instruction, to evaluate students' knowledge and skills relative to specific set of academic goals in order to inform policymaker or educator decisions at the student, classroom, school, or district level. Specific interim assessment designs are driven by the purposes and intended uses, but the results of any interim assessment must be reported in a manner allowing aggregation across students, occasions, or concepts." (CCSSO)
- EVENT administered outside of instruction
- EVALUATES students' knowledge and skills relative to goals within a specific time frame
- INFORMS policymaker or educator decisions and progress at the student, classroom, school, or district levels
- RESULTS aggregated by students, incidence, concepts
- ADMINISTERED generally 2-6 times per year
- TIMING controlled by school or district
- RESULTS reported medium cycle
- ALIGNED to curriculum standards
- DESIGNS driven by the purpose & intended use
Summative Assessments
These are often "Standardized tests of learning" instruments and "verify arrival at success" and take place AFTER learning has occurred. Summative assessment, or assessment of learning, can also be used at the classroom level. The information may be used for the purpose of making a judgement about student competence or program effectiveness. (Chappuis, Stiggins, Chappuis, Arter, 2012)
- CONTENT assessed is often wide range
- RESULTS reported long term on state assessments
- INDIVIDUAL data decisions not considered
- INFORMS policy and/or larger decisions
- HIGH degree of transparency
- CRITERIA pre-defined reflecting content standards
Formative Assessment Resources & Activities are made possible by a grant from the Joseph & Kathryn Albertson Foundation, and are part of the ISEE Implementation. *ISEE Phase II Grant Sites are given priority for some professional development offerings.
