Assessment plays a major role in how students learn, their motivation to learn, and how teachers teach. Assessment is embedded in the learning process, helping teachers to gain insight into what students understand, how they learn, and how they can be better served. Student learning is best supported when instruction and assessment are based on clear learning goals, and differentiated according to student learning needs.
This course presents a comprehensive overview of tools and processes for the assessment, evaluation and reporting of student achievement. Assessment and evaluation practices must be fair, transparent and equitable for all students, and based on evidence of student learning.
This course is aligned with PSEL Standard 4: Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment which states that:
Effective educational leaders develop and support intellectually rigorous and coherent systems of curriculum, instruction, and assessment to promote each student’s academic success and well-being.”
National Policy Board for Educational Administration (NPBEA) (2015)
Learning Objectives:
Upon completing this course, you will:
- Understand the role of the principal in leading assessment and evaluation, including the evaluation of personnel who will design and administer these at the classroom level.
- Understand the key differences of assessment and evaluation and use of standardized and alternative assessments in satisfying accountability requirements while improving student learning outcomes.
- Identify and appropriately apply the seven principles for fair student assessment practices.
- Support a variety of information purposes and needs such as informing learning and instruction, through use of effective student assessment systems.
- Employ effective evaluation systems and techniques to accurately communicate what students know and can do.
Lessons contain exercises that you will be asked to complete, and resources you can use for continuous learning. Use a personal journal to record your completed exercises and document your learning in this course. This guide can assist you with creating your personal journal. Your school district facilitator may request you submit your personal journal to show proof of course completion. Direction on where to submit your finished journal will be provided by your district facilitator, should they require it.
Select a lesson from the table of contents below to begin your learning. Lessons do not need to be completed in sequence. The pre-test and post-test are optional. If you would like to receive a certificate of completion, you must mark each lesson as complete.