The Quest for Quality Assessments

The Quest for Quality

Assessment quality and balance determine how reliable and useful the data collected will be, say authors Chappuis, Chappuis, and Stiggins in "The Quest for Quality." 

Using misinformation defeats the purpose of bringing in more results to inform our decisions, they write. The authors outline five keys to assessment quality:

• clear purpose
• clear learning targets
• sound assessment design
• effective communication of results
• student involvement

Guiding assessment balance means considering formative and summative applications, as well as whether assessments are meeting student, teacher, or district information needs.

To achieve balance and high quality in assessment practices, the authors conclude that all assessors and users of assessment results must be assessment literate, that is, "to know what constitutes appropriate and inappropriate uses of assessment results."

What does your school or district do to improve assessment literacy?