A non standardized assessment is an assessment tool or procedure that is not developed or administered in accordance with a standardized set of guidelines or procedures. It might be prepared and used by a single institution or individual without external review or validation, and it may not undergo the rigorous development, validation, and norming processes that standardized assessments typically undergo.
Here are some characteristics and potential reasons for using a non standardized assessment:
- Purpose: Non standardized assessments are often used for specific purposes or within specific contexts, such as informal student assessments in the classroom, formative feedback mechanisms, research studies, or progress monitoring.
They can be tailored to the unique needs, learning objectives, and curriculum of a particular group or setting, making them more flexible and responsive to specific educational contexts.
-Development: Non standardized assessments can be developed quickly and easily, often by classroom teachers or other assessment specialists, without the need for extensive research and development.
This allows for more immediate or ad-hoc assessment to meet specific learning needs.
-Customization: Non standardized assessments can be customized to match specific learning objectives, instructional content, and student populations, making them potentially more relevant and targeted.
-Feedback: Non standardized assessments can be used to provide prompt and specific feedback to students or teachers, allowing them to make necessary adjustments or enhancements in the teaching-learning process.
-Complementary role: Non standardized assessments can complement standardized assessments by providing additional insights into student learning, progress, and specific areas of strength or growth opportunities.
-Limitations: Non standardized assessments can vary in quality, reliability, and validity, and their results might not be comparable across different contexts or institutions.
They may not be appropriate for high-stakes decisions, such as college admissions or awarding high-school diplomas.
Using non standardized assessments effectively involves careful planning, alignment with learning goals, and consideration of the specific assessment purpose and context.