Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a major disadvantage of formal assessment?
What is a major disadvantage of formal assessment?
Which statement best describes standardized achievement tests?
Which statement best describes standardized achievement tests?
Which of the following is a reason formal assessments might not be suitable for all students?
Which of the following is a reason formal assessments might not be suitable for all students?
What is the primary purpose of aptitude tests in education?
What is the primary purpose of aptitude tests in education?
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Which of the following is NOT an advantage of formal assessments?
Which of the following is NOT an advantage of formal assessments?
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What is a principal aim of formal assessment?
What is a principal aim of formal assessment?
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Which of the following characteristics is NOT related to formal assessment?
Which of the following characteristics is NOT related to formal assessment?
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What type of technique is used for structured procedures in formal assessments?
What type of technique is used for structured procedures in formal assessments?
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Which scoring method is commonly reported in formal assessments?
Which scoring method is commonly reported in formal assessments?
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What is an essential requirement for individuals being assessed in formal assessment?
What is an essential requirement for individuals being assessed in formal assessment?
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Study Notes
Instrument for Assessment
- Assessment selection hinges on the type of information desired by the assessor, categorized into formal and informal techniques.
Formal Assessment
- Defines standardized or norm-referenced tests with structured procedures, adhering strictly to guidelines for administration, scoring, and score interpretation (Okyere & Adams, 2003).
- Examples of formal assessments include norm-referenced tests.
Aim of Formal Assessment
- The main goal is to compare a child's performance against a normative group to identify differences.
- Assessment individuals must share characteristics with the normative group, including age, socioeconomic background, and class.
Characteristics of Formal Assessment
- Involves paper and pencil tests, indicating written examinations.
- Features standardized procedures for administration, scoring, and interpretation.
- Assures reliability and validity, providing trustworthy and dependable information.
- Produces valid information through specific items and reports scores standardly, using percentiles and grade equivalents.
- Administered by trained professionals, such as school psychologists and special educators.
Advantages of Formal Assessment
- Facilitates peer comparison among individuals.
- Objective due to standardized administration, minimizing subjectivity and biases.
- Delivers dependable information that authentically reflects individual capabilities.
- Valid and reliable assessments support selection and placement decisions.
Disadvantages of Formal Assessment
- Lacks identification of specific strengths and weaknesses, focusing on general curriculum areas.
- Provides limited instructional planning insights.
- May penalize students with sensory and cognitive impairments, affecting performance.
- Can induce anxiety in students during testing.
- Risks cultural bias.
- Requires trained professionals for administration, limiting accessibility.
Types of Formal Assessment
-
Standardized Achievement Tests:
- Compare student knowledge and skills across similar groups.
- Examples include:
- California Achievement Test (CAT)
- Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (ToBs)
- Test of Academic Proficiency (TAP)
- Metropolitan Achievement Test (MAT)
- Standard Achievement Test (SAT)
-
Aptitude Tests:
- Gauge pre-existing knowledge upon entering a classroom or grade, important for teacher assessment.
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Description
This quiz explores the different assessment techniques used in education, focusing on formal and informal assessments. It highlights the criteria for selecting the appropriate assessment method based on the information required by the assessor.