Assessment undoubtedly plays a significant role in elementary (K-9) education for both students and educators. Teachers assess, teach, then reassess and keep repeating the cycle as the primary goal of assessment is enhancing student learning.
Assessment is essential for students as it allows students to demonstrate their learning. For instance, students, through performance-based assessment, can show their ability to apply learned information. Assessment can motivate students to study as long as the criteria of assessment are communicated clearly to students. Feedback that students receive from assessments can guide them in setting appropriate learning goals and find tools to achieve them. If students work hard and can use the feedback from assessment to improve their studying, assessment can become rewarding experiences, reinforcing the desire to learn in learners and make learning meaningful.
More importantly, assessment is crucial for teachers. Assessment can inform teachers about their students’ learning. Formative regular assessment can help teachers keep track of student progress over time. Teachers can also apply diagnostic assessment to find out students’ strengths and weaknesses. Given that, teachers can tailor their instruction, provide extra support or extra work to students based on their learning level. Thus, assessment becomes a tool for teachers guiding their teaching strategies.
Through assessment, both students and teachers have the opportunity to learn from mistakes. Students would know where they need to review or re-learn. Teachers would be able to make informed decisions on whether they should re-teach concepts or adjust their teaching techniques.
Lastly, assessment in education can help schools identify students who might need special education services. This ensures equity in education and all students can access the support that they deserve to strive academically.
