Use entrance assessment tools as a term of study begins. Use the entrance assessment as a tool for deciding on admission to a program. Many private K-12 schools, colleges and universities require an entrance examination as an assessment tool to determine students' knowledge and proficiency for specific subjects. You can also use the entrance assessment for learners accepted into a program to gain knowledge about their strengths and weaknesses. These entrance assessments can offer guides to placement of learners at the beginning, intermediate or advanced levels.
Give informal and alternative assessments to ensure correct placement of students shortly after the beginning of the term. The reliability of placement assessments are affected by numerous factors, including fatigue, test anxiety and motivation. You can check for correct placement by using assessment tools, such as quizzes, summary writings and question and answer sessions. Ask for journals or learning logs to monitor the students' progress. Learners who breeze through these assessments may need more challenging material, whereas learners who struggle may need a less challenging curriculum or they may need a more basic class.
Engage in formative assessment during the term. In this case, use assessment tools for direct and frequent measurements to monitor learners, as they move through the curriculum. For formative assessment, measure the learner against the curriculum, not against other learners. This criterion-referenced assessment ensures measurement of stated curriculum goals and objectives. If the learners all have difficulty with a section of the curriculum or are able to slide through the subject matter quickly and easily, you can consult with other educators and administrators regarding adjusting the curriculum and assessment tools. You can also use the formative assessment to identify students who are struggling and to help them complete the course of study.
Evaluate the students' performance at the end of a course of study by using summative assessment tools that provide information about the learners' achievements throughout the term. You can use assessment tools, such as final projects, portfolios and final examinations. Learners who score low at the end of the term may need to get additional instruction, or they may need to repeat the course. Learners who score in the passing range may move to the next level. Discuss the results of the assessment tools with the learners. Share the learners' experiences with colleagues and administrators to refine the entire process.