Running Head: PHILOSOPHY OF ASSESSING STUDENT LEARNING

Philosophy of assessing student learning

Isabelle Giles
Salt Lake Community College

PHILOSOPHY OF ASSESSING STUDENT LEARNING

Philosophy of assessing student learning

As a teacher, I have the responsibility to make sure that my students learn, understand
and master the concepts and skills I teach them. My best tool available to fulfill this
responsibility is assessment. Assessing my students is a crucial part of teaching as it allows me to
not only evaluate my students learning but also evaluate how effective my teaching is and how I
can improve it. Assessment, too often perceived negatively and punitive, is a process I use in my
classroom to gather information that allows me to make decisions about my students learning
progress. To ensure that assessment doesnt distract students from learning, I make sure they
understand the valid reasons for it. For the assessment to be effective and to be aligned with my
teaching, I will plan my assessment as I am planning my lesson. In doing so, no disconnection
will occur. In my classroom, I use different forms of assessments such as informal and formal
assessments as well as formative and summative assessments.
Indeed, I use informal assessments which is an ongoing process during instruction.
Questioning is a powerful yet non-threatening way for me to assess my students while teaching.
This form of assessment allows me to detect a misunderstanding immediately and adjust my
instruction during the lesson. For instance, if a student is unable or has difficulties answering a
question, I can prompt that student by providing additional information. Another example of
informal assessment is calling on a student who is drifting. Informal assessment is quite
important during learning activities and represents an integral part of my teaching and I value it
as much as I value formal assessment.
Students in my classroom should expect formal assessments as it allows me to gather the
same kind of information from all my students. Graded homework, graded assignments, quizzes
and tests are part of this form of assessment and provide me as a teacher with feedback on my

PHILOSOPHY OF ASSESSING STUDENT LEARNING

students learning and it helps my students know if they are on track. As students complete their
graded homework and assignments individually, it allows me to discuss items that were not
understood in group activities. It also helps me go over questions that were generally missed in
quizzes and tests. Formal assessment is an essential part of my overall teaching and is a powerful
learning tool. Beside these two forms of assessment, I will also be using formative and
summative assessment.
The formative assessment process serves as practice for my students and a check for
understanding during the learning process. The formative assessment process guides me in
making decisions about future instruction. As I need to assess each one of my students, a good
way to do so is to have them write answers to my questions on a white board and hold it up so I
can know immediately which students understood the concept being taught and which students
need more instruction. I then adapt the following instruction accordingly. Another example of a
formative assessment I use in my classroom is the Exit-Slips which are written responses to
questions I ask at the end of a lesson or a class to assess student understanding of key concepts.
It is a very quick and effective way for me as a teacher to determine which students understand,
which ones need a little help, and which ones are going to require much more instruction on the
concept. By assessing the Exit-Slip I can adjust the instruction to accommodate students' needs
for the next class.
The summative assessment is used to evaluate student learning, skill acquisition, and
academic achievement at the conclusion of a defined instructional period. For instance, in my
classroom, students must take an end-of- chapter test. Assessing my students regularly, will help
me detect any lack of knowledge or understanding instead of waiting and have my students fall

PHILOSOPHY OF ASSESSING STUDENT LEARNING

behind. In addition to this test, my students have to take the SAGE test (Student Assessment of
Growth and Excellence) which is the comprehensive assessment system for Utah.
I am aware that test scores do not always reflect accurately the learning progress of a
student. Some students test well and some just freeze in front of a test. As an elementary school
teacher, my students are very young and are still learning to be students. I believe the grading
system needs to be appropriately adapted therefore I grade as follows:
5
Achieving

3
Developing

1
Needs support

To assess my students in the most accurate way possible, I take all forms of assessment
that I use in the classroom into consideration to evaluate their learning curve. As I get to know
my students individually, I can determine the way they learn and adapt my instruction to provide
them with an effective learning experience. Assessing is a way for me get to know my students
and help them in the best way possible.

PHILOSOPHY OF ASSESSING STUDENT LEARNING

References
Kauchak D. & Eggen P. (2017). Introduction to teaching: Becoming a professional (6 Edition)
th

Pearson Edition: New Jersey