Introduction
Assessment of students can be understood as the process of evaluation of their performance by teachers. It is considered to be an ongoing process of collecting, analyzing and revealing information on the basis of evaluation and making reliable judgments to develop children’s learning. The two important assessment methods are formal and informal. Formal assessment uses conventional homework, quiz, test, etc. So it is test oriented and assessment is carried out by the help of grading and numerical score.
By adopting formal assessment method, teachers can analyze the students taking their numerical score and subject wise progress. On the other hand, informal assessment is not associated with student’s final mark or grade. It is performance driven rather than data driven. Informal assessment emphasizes in observing students’ activities, making checklists, quality rating, reviewing students’ portfolio, monitoring their progression, and peer and self appraisal.
Does Parents’ Information have any relevance?
In the transformation from birth to adulthood of children, parents play an important role. Since parents are fully acquainted with their children, they become important factors in giving valuable information to the teachers. This information helps teachers to have a general assessment over students as they are mutually interdependent. The school community and the parents are equally accountable for children’s development. “Parents and school community will be frequently informed of the philosophy and process of assessment.” (Part IV: A Plan for Assessing Student Performance: Accountability to Parents/Community).
Parents should be updated regarding students’ progression toward their main objectives regularly and systematically. Occasional conferences must be organized wherein participation of students, parents and teachers are to be ensured. Soon after the conference, parents can be asked to give feedback which measures their satisfaction and provides ideas for any amendment or improvement.
A final survey in association with the parents is to be organized at the end of the school academic year from which it can easily be measured whether the parents are completely satisfied or not. The school authority should collate the feedback from the survey and assess it very specifically. In case of getting positive feedback, it will rejuvenate the assessment process of the teachers’ side which is to be conveyed to everyone through evening gatherings, websites, souvenirs and school wide events. It will enhance the effectiveness of the school in assessing the performance of students.
About Students with Special Needs
Separate complete data of every student is kept at school as a part of systematic assessment process. Using this relevant data analysis, school authorities identify the students who need special attention or accommodations in terms of assessment. On verifying the data about students, there is a chance to notice some students with physical and mental disabilities or learning difficulties. If such a situation comes to notice, then special care and techniques are to be applied for assessment of such types of students. For resolving this situation, a specialized group of teachers can be formed which should be fully equipped with proper and effective training to meet special needs of the students.
The technological innovations on teaching framework will handle the situation very subtly thereby gaining maximum results in this field. Students, who need specialized attention beyond what the available staff can offer, may be allowed to avail the facility of Special Education services.
Works Cited
Part IV: A Plan for Assessing Student Performance: Accountability to Parents/Community. 2000. Web.