Assessing students is very important to anyone in the teaching career. A good question to ask is “why assess?” As stated from the book "it is the process of gathering data in order to better understand the strengths and weaknesses of student learning, as by observation, testing, interviews, etc"(DeVries p.47). The first thing to pop in my head when I think of the word assessment is paper and pencil test. Reading the chapter showed me that assessment could come in many forms. As a future teacher, I will be offering both informal and formal assessments.
Understanding the types of assessments there are and how to use them is very important. The assessment that caught my attention was the growth portfolio, which is a type of informal testing. When I was a child, I did the growth portfolio and the best-work portfolio. In growth portfolio had teacher’s notes and a lot of work that I have done form the beginning of the school year. At parent-teacher meeting there was evidence that I was improving. This is an assessment I will use in the future. I would love to see the progress students have made over the school year. Within the portfolio, I like the idea of keeping a running record for the students and anecdotal records. Another assessment that I would use is the goal-setting logs. I want the students to be involved in their educational success. When students are involved they are more likely to succeed and fulfill their goal. This assessment can be used for any subject and I intend to use it for all of the subjects.
